The sun prevailed for the Vietnam Veterans Outer Eastern Melbourne (VVOEM) Vietnam Veterans’ Day Service on Sunday 17 August which saw veterans and their families gather to pay their respects at the Upper Yarra RSL.
The service was held the day before Vietnam Veterans’ Day, which marked the 59th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on 18 August.
The service was attended by many notable figures which included RSL Victoria president Mark Schroffel, Yarra Ranges Council mayor Cr Jim Child, Casey MP Aaron Violi, State Liberal MP Cindy McLeish, among others.
Upper Yarra RSL committee member Chris Leermaker said the service ran smoothly.
“It all went pretty well, the sun was shining and we had a good march and a good service afterwards,” Mr Leermaker said.
It was the Upper Yarra RSL’s first time hosting the Vietnam Veterans Day, where the parade started at the Upper Yarra Museum and finished at the Yarra Junction Cenotaph via the Warburton Railtrail.
Warburton RSL president Wayne Morgan was parade commander for the event and said the march was a success, despite having to change its original course due to junior football finals.
“It’s just rewarding being involved with the older veterans, it’s lovely,” Mr Morgan said.
Mr Violi spoke during the ceremony and reflected on the significance of the anniversary.
“It was moving to see our community gather to honour the 60,000 brave Australians who met the call to serve in Vietnam, while also marking the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, which will always be remembered as one of the fiercest battles of the war.
“Thank you to our local RSL’s, the Yarra Valley Vietnam Veterans Day Committee and Vietnam Veterans Outer Eastern Melbourne for hosting this moving service and march,” Mr Violi said.
Mr Leermaker said the service offered a chance for return service members to reconnect and remember.
“One of my mates came down from Geelong and he stayed overnight on Sunday night and I was with him over in Vietnam,” Mr Leermaker said.
Mr Leermaker said the service also meant veterans could meet new veterans they hadn’t met who served alongside them in Vietnam.
“It’s good because you meet up with…[members] from all different intakes,” Mr Leermaker said.
Also in attendance was the 1st Woori Yallock Scout Group and the Australian Air Force Cadets 408 Squadron performed the Cataflaque Party mounts.
For the entire conflict, 60,000 Australian troops served, 3,000 were injured and over 520 lost their lives.
The Battle of Long Tan took place in 1966 where a small Australian contingent faced a 2000 person-strong Viet Cong force.
Heavily outnumbered and running low on supplies, the Australian troops successfully repelled the attack, though 17 Australian soldiers were killed and another 25 wounded.
Mr Morgan said the ceremony was his way of acknowledging his uncle’s role in Vietnam.
“My uncle was a Vietnam vet himself and I know what it meant to him and the emotional turmoil that he struggled with post-Vietnam War.
“But even though he’s no longer here, it’s just my little bit to give back to him and all the other veterans,” Mr Morgan said.
