Vietnam vets hold commemoration at Ettalong
The Central Coast Sub Branch of the Vietnam Veterans', Peacekeepers' and Peacemakers' Association of Australia held its annual Vietnam veterans' commemoration at Ettalong on Saturday, August 12.
Branch president Dr Stephen Karsai was master of ceremonies.
"It was 51 years ago on August 18 in a rubber plantation near Long Tan in Phuoc Tuy Province that Australian forces fought in the bloodiest battle of the Vietnam war," Dr Karsai said.
He said those who participated in the battle should be remembered with pride and thanked because they were defending their nation in the cause of justice and peace.
A call to worship was led by the Reverend Arthur Pierce and a prayer for Vietnam Veterans was led by NSW Branch president Mr Frank Cole.
The guest speaker at the ceremony was Victorian Cross recipient Mr Keith Payne.
Mr Payne said older returned servicemen understood the terror the younger men had experienced in conflicts between Vietnam and the present day "because we were the younger men back then".
He said the location of the Vietnam Veterans' memorial on the foreshore at Ettalong was "beautiful" and he encouraged all present to remember the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice on November 11, 1918.
Wreaths were layed by Central Coast Branch patron Mr Chris Holstein, Member for Robertson Ms Lucy Wicks, and Ms Genny Murphy, representing Member for Gosford Ms Liesl Tesch.
Wreaths were also laid on behalf of TPI Association of NSW, Brisbane Water Legacy, NSW National Servicemen's Association, Partners of Veterans Association, a number of RSL sub branches, Central Coast Malay/Borneo Association, National Service 1951-72 Re-enactment Unit, Brisbane Water Private Hospital, Ettalong Diggers Club and Woy Woy Peninsula Lions Club.
The ceremony was held at the Vietnam Veterans' memorial at the conclusion of a march from Broken Bay Rd through Ettalong town centre.
Other organisations supporting the commemoration were Hornsby Pipe Band, Brisbane Water Brass Band, the National Service Re-Enactment Unit, 2/17 RNSWR catafalque party, Rotary Club of Woy Woy, Radio Five O Plus, Peninsula News, Brisbane Water Local Area Command, Central Coast Council, SES, Cinema Paradiso and Ettalong.
SOURCE:
Official program, 12 Aug 2017
Stephen Karsai, CCPPAA Central Coast Sub branch
Reporter: Jackie Pearson