Vietnam Veterans Day - 18th August 2011

I had the absolute honour to attend the Vietnam Veterans Day Memorial Service at Long Tan yesterday.  For those who may need a refresher of the details, it was 45 years yesterday since that pivotal battle took place. 18 August 1966 saw the action of 108 ANZACS against a Viet Cong (North Vietnamese) force estimated between 1,500 and 2,500. The Battle was one of the heaviest conflicts of the Vietnam War as well as one the few battles in the recorded history of the world to be won against such odds.There were 17 Australians and one New Zealander killed - 17 from D Company and one from the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Squadron - and 21 wounded. The Viet Cong insurgents left 245 dead and many more wounded. In later years, it was found out that D Company had run into a reinforced regimental force waiting to attack Nui Dat.  Vietnam Veterans' Day, celebrated in Australia on 18 August each year, commemorates the Battle of Long Tan and those Australians who served during the Vietnam War and is an opportunity to remember those who did not come home.
A 500 strong crowd gathered at 3.30pm yesterday in that muddy rubber plantation.  It was not only a time to remember our fallen but to also remember the many millions of Vietnamese who died in the struggle for full independence in their homeland.  The Long Tan cross marks the site of the battle.  A cross was first erected on the site in 1969 when the 6th Battalion RAR were on their second tour of duty.  The original cross disappeared after the war.  The cross now standing is a replica which was erected in 2002 by representatives of the Australian Veteran Vietnam Reconstruction group wit the consent of the local Authorities.
I actually struggle to find the words to describe how it felt to be there yesterday. If I was completely honest I would have to say I felt a little like an intruder.  As I stood there amongst the diggers whose emotions threatened to betray their stoic faces, I can honestly say I have never felt more humbled.  They came in all shapes and sizes and all with their own stories and demons.  They stood tall and proud.  After the Last Post, a minutes silence and Reveille, I watched as some pretended to scratch their noses and snuck in a quick wipe of a tear. I watched as they lay wreaths, then stood in silence, remembering God only knows what.  I watched as it become too much for some..... the reality of war sinking home to me deeper every moment.  It is easy to think that War is just a word, but for these guys,  it is their reality, every day.  It has, for better or worse, made them who they are today.  Even though I had come with the best intentions to pay my respects, I could not help but feel I had stumbled upon something very personal and private.  It is only fitting that during the minutes silence, the thunder rolled in the distance.  The waft of incense filled the air. Tears slid in silence. Roses and poppys clutched tightly.  Remembering. 
It was a truly unique experience.

The track leading through the rubber plantation where the Long Tan Memorial Cross lay.

Everyone has their own story to tell

Breaker served in Vietnam with 6 RAR on their first tour and like many veterans never wanted to return. It took thirty-eight years for him to finally decide to come back and he is glad that he did. Breaker now has a Vietnamese wife and has inherited two teenage daughters. All of his wife's family were VC during the war, but there are no problems and he is readilly accepted as brother No 6.

Breaker lives in nearby Vung Tau. He says he gets to meet a lot of veterans some still returning for the first time and many others who have been here on numerous occasions. Breaker has been escorting groups of Australians through Vietnam for the last three years and says "I believe there are still many Veterans in Australia who need to make the trip to finish the war." (Beyond Long Tan)

The Vietnam Swans pay their respects

In this photo is Breaker, Australian Defence Attaché Group Captain Matthew Dudley and Mr Alan Fraser.  Alan is from Adelaide and fought in the Battle of Long Tan in the 12th Platoon.  He had not returned to Vietnam until 4 days ago.  He said it was quite nerve wracking finally returning.  He said he didn't know if he had made the right decision but it had been a nice experience and he thought the ceremony was nice. (SMH)

From the left:  Australian Consul General Mr Graeme Swift, New Zealand Defence Attaché, Captain Brett Fotheringham RNZN,  New Zealand consul General, Mr Graeme Sims,  Australian Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Allaster Cox and Australian Defence Attaché Group Captain Matthew Dudley.

Members of 6 RAR lay their wreath

A group of our friends from across the ditch.  The guy in the hat on the right was there 45 years ago as a NZ war correspondent.

Lest We Forget

Pte Aldersea, Richard A.
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 20; Regular Army enlistee
Born: Perth, WA
Civ: Lube attendant; Married
KIA - Chest wounds
Commem: Karrakatta Cemetery, WA

Cpl Clements, Peter E
Unit: 1 APC Sqn; Age: 21; Regular Army enlistee
Born: Cunderdin, WA
Single
WIA - died at hospital
Commem: Moora Cemetery, WA

Pte Drabble, Glenn A
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Brisbane, Q.
Civ: Blinds installer; Single
KIA - Gunshot wound to head
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, Q
Buried at: Pinnaroo Cemetery, Q

Pte Gant, Kenneth H
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Brisbane, Q
Civ: Butcher; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, Q
Buried at: Mt Gravatt Cemetery, Q

Pte Grant, Ernest F
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 20; Regular Army enlistee
Born: Thurgoona, NSW
Civ: Farm hand; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Albury Cemetery, NSW

Pte Grice, Victor R
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Ballarat V
Civ: Storeman; Single
KIA
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, Q
Buried at: Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Q

Pte Houston, James M
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 22; Regular Army enlistee
Born: Wallsend, NSW
Civ: Station hand; Married
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, Q
Buried at: Mt Thompson Crematorium, Q

L/Cpl Jewry, Jack
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: St Mary's NSW
Civ: Apprentice electrician; Married
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, NSW
Buried at: Pine Grove Memorial Park, NSW

Pte Large, Paul A
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 22; National Serviceman
Born: Wellington, NSW
Civ: Manager; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, NSW
Buried at: Coolah Cemetery, NSW

Pte McCormack, A F
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Launceston, Tas
Civ: Clerk; Single
WIA - Died at hospital

Pte McCormack, Dennis J
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Adelaide, SA
Civ: Labourer; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, Q
Buried at: Pinnaroo Cemetery, Q

Pte Mitchell, Warren D
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Dalby, Q
Civ: Clerk; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, Q
Buried at: Mt Gravatt Cemetery, Q

Pte Salverton, Douglas J
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 20; National Serviceman
Born: Brisbane, Q
Civ: Student; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, Q
Buried at: Mt Gravatt Cemetery, Q

2Lt Sharp, Gordon C
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Tamworth, NSW
Civ: Television cameraman; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, NSW
Buried at: Tamworth Memorial Park, NSW

Pte Thomas, David J
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; Regular Army enlistee
Born: Bendigo, V
Civ: Skilled labourer; Single
KIA - Chest wounds
Commem: Kangaroo Flat Cemetery, V

Pte Topp, Francis B
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 19; Regular Army enlistee
Born: Toowoomba, Q
Single
KIA
Commem: Helidon Cemetery, Q

Pte Wales, Maxwell R
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 22; Regular Army enlistee
Born: Goondiwindi, Q
Single
KIA
Commem: Moree Cemetery, NSW

Pte Whiston, Colin J
Unit: 6RAR; Age: 21; National Serviceman
Born: Sydney, NSW
Civ: Postman; Single
KIA - Gunshot wounds
Commem: Garden of Remembrance, VBuried at: Crib Point Cemetery, V