Vietnam Veterans Day on Sunday, August 18, will this year be commemorated at the new Long Tan Cross mural on Anzac Hill.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Local veterans and the Gunnedah RSL Sub-Branch made the decision to move the service from the cenotaph after the two Vietnam War memorial murals were launched on Anzac Day this year.
It has been an emotional journey for veterans visiting the murals since the unique memorials on the walls of the Water Tower Museum were completed by artist Jenny McCracken in time for Anzac Day.
Read also:
Gunnedah and District Historical Society secretary Marie Hobson said there had also been great interest in the murals from the wider community after it was promoted on the Australian Silo Art Trail. Facebook page.
"We are very proud to have honoured those who served in the war and the museum has welcomed Vietnam veterans from all over Australia since the ANZAC Day launch," she said.
"The service at 11am on Vietnam Veterans' Day will be preceded by a number of musical items from the Gunnedah Conservatorium and Gunnedah Shire Band."
Vietnam veteran Peter Capp will be conducting the service, supported by veterans and the RSL Sub-Branch. All members of the community are invited to attend and remember those who served.
Originally known as Long Tan Day, August 18 was chosen to commemorate the men of D Company, 6RAR who fought in the battle of Long Tan in 1966. On that day, 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought a pitched battle against more than 2000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops in a rubber plantation not far from the small village of Long Tan - and the rest is history.
On August 18, 1969, the third anniversary of Long Tan, a cross was raised on the site of the battle by the men of 6RAR. Veterans from the battle gathered at the cross to commemorate the fallen, and the day was commemorated by them as Long Tan Day.
In 1987, following the very successful "Welcome Home" parade for Vietnam veterans in Sydney, then Prime Minister Bob Hawke announced that Long Tan Day would be known as Vietnam Veterans Day. Since then, it has been commemorated every year as a day to commemorate the service of all those men and women who served in Vietnam.
