Benalla veterans gathered on Monday, August 18 to mark Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Each year, on August 18, Australia commemorates Vietnam Veterans’ Day, on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
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In Benalla, the local RSL sub-branch held a service by the town’s cenotaph to honour all who served in the often controversial conflict.
Benalla RSL president Paul Hartland said it was the least it could do, given how badly those who served were treated upon their return.
“It was a different type of war, and they didn’t have public support,” he said.
“But they deserve to be remembered, they did a marvellous job.”
Almost 60,000 Australians served during the 10 years the nation was involved in the Vietnam War.
Salvation Army Captain Ben Anderson read the opening prayer and played the Last Post at Benalla’s Vietnam Veterans’ Day ceremony.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Many didn’t return.
Those who did were often the focus of anti-war sentiment.
Benalla Mayor Bernie Hearn was in attendance at Monday’s service.
She said it was great that the RSL went out of its way to honour those who had served in Vietnam.
“Our Vietnam veterans were treated terribly,” Cr Hearn said.
“We conscripted people to go there. It wasn’t their free will that they stepped up and left, not all of them.
“It’s lovely to see the numbers here this morning.
“It is a Monday. It’s the start of the week. To have the crowd that was here, it’s lovely.
“I think that Paul (Hartland) has done a great job in remembering many of the conflicts Australia has been involved in throughout the years.”
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