Vietnam vets commemorate Battle of Long Tan

Vietnam Veterans from across the Central Coast gathered in Ettalong to commemorate the 52nd anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on August 19.

Veterans gathered at Ettalong Vietnam Veterans Memorial to reflect on the sacrifice of the friends and forbearers and to march in their honour.

Every year on August 18, the Central Coast veterans groups march, hold a commemorative service and a memorial dinner to recognise the sacrifice of those who did and did not return home from the Vietnam War.

Nationally, Minister for Veterans' Affairs Mr Darren Chester led the tributes paid during Vietnam Veterans Day at the National Australian Vietnam Forces Memorial in Canberra.

"The Vietnam War was Australia's longest military engagement of the 20th Century with almost 60,000 Australians serving during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972," Mr Chester said.

"Each year on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Australia commemorates all those who served in the Vietnam War, including the more than 500 Australians who lost their lives."

SOURCE:

Media release, 18 Aug 2018

Whil Prendergast, Office of Darren Chester MP