By KATRINA BRANDON
BRINGING recognition to those who sacrificed it all, Morwell RSL hosted a ceremony for Vietnam Veterans Day on Monday, August 18.
Starting at 11.30am, people gathered to pay their respects.
“Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War spanned from 1962 to 1973, approximately 61,000 Australian service personnel served during that period,” Morwell RSL President, Don Fuller said.
“We should, as we always say, let’s never forget the sacrifice that not only myself and other guys made putting that uniform on, but the sacrifice that those guys never came home to see their wives or their grandchildren or get married or see their mum and dad. We’ve got to remember.”
Within his speech, Mr Fuller recognised the soldiers who had fought, those who had fallen and others who are still alive.
Currently, there are only 15 veterans from Gippsland left standing out of 123 from the Vietnam War.
Recognition and remembrance takes place on August 18 due to the Battle of Long Tan, which was a small skirmish that took place in a rubber plantation near Long Tan in Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam.
During this battle, D Company of the 6th Royal Australian Regiment faced a much larger force of Viet Cong from the 275th Regiment and D445 Battalion. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Australian forces, with strong artillery support and resupply by Iroquois helicopters, successfully held off the enemy assault.
The battle resulted in 17 Australians killed and 25 wounded (with one more dying later from wounds). This engagement demonstrated the courage and effectiveness of Australian forces during the Vietnam War, and remains an essential part of Australia’s military history.
Mr Fuller also recognised the involvement of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the navy during the war.
“We must also remember the Royal Australian Air Force’s involvement with its chairman of the 35 Squadron flying their Caribou in supporting roles such as area reconnaissance, personnel, and equipment problems,” he said.
“We also remember the men of nine squadron flying their Iroquois helicopters, lifting men and equipment in and out of battle zones and the jungle. We should also remember the bombers of two squadrons for their low-level five bombing missions, supporting our troops and groups on the ground.
“I was told by someone who was supported by that that those moments were bloody close. A total of 14 RAAF personnel lost their lives in Vietnam. The Royal Australian Navy’s role in Vietnam was sometimes overlooked by the comparison of the army’s larger numerical involvement, as well as serving in our ships, navy personnel served as clearance divers, clearance teams, the navy helicopters, logistical support and medical teams.
“The official records record that over 60,000 served in Vietnam; 523 Australian servicemen died in Vietnam.”
Alongside Mr Fuller, Vietnam Royal Australian Engineers veteran, Graham Burgess also stood tall at the ceremony, talking about the work that is being done for local soldiers. Mr Burgess fundraises to provide headstones for Gippsland veterans.
“We found in Gippsland that there are a lot of unmarked graves,” Mr Fuller said.
“They deserve to have at least a plaque put on them. A lot of them, when they went or when they passed away, had no families, or no families to be found. Bruce has taken it upon himself over the last probably 15 years to try and recognise these people and make sure that at least they’ve got something over the top of them, distinguishing that they served our country and they went before us.”
