Hundreds of people attended a Wollongong commemoration service on Saturday for those who served in the Vietnam War.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
From retired current military personnel, loved ones of those who were left behind, and a younger generation of military cadets and scouts paid their respects at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial on Endeavour Drive.
The war was our nation’s longest military engagement of the 20th Century with almost 60,000 Australians serving during a decade of conflict between 1962 and 1972 – more than 500 of them never made it home.
Doug Herschell and friend Kerry McGrane were at the service, paying respects to those who served and those left behind.
Mr Herschell proudly war his father’s medals – Gordon Hwerschel, a Warrant Officer 2nd Class.
“[It’s important] to keep the memory alive,” he said. “And [be] hopefull at one stage there won’t be any wars.”
Ms McGrane said younger generations also need to take the moment to realise Vietnam Veterans “didn’t get any support when they came back” – so the same “mistake” wouldn’t happen again.
The day, August 18, was also the 52nd anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the fiercest battles fought by our soldiers in the Vietnam War. A total of 17 Australians were killed in action and 25 were wounded, one of whom died a few days later.
Major-General Brian “Hori” Howard (retired) gave the opening address at the Wollongong service atop Flagstaff Hill.