This week marks 50 years since the Battle of Long Tan in South Vietnam.
To commemorate, the Vietnam Veterans Association Melbourne West Sub-branch is inviting people to remember both those who did not return and those who survived.
Sub-branch secretary Ray Matthew says the Long Tan commemoration is perhaps the most significant event since the belated welcome home parade vets received in 1987.
“It’s important recognition of the people that went and their service,” he said.
“When we came home from the Vietnam war, it was a different Australia to that we had left. We were somewhat shunned by the government of the day, by some RSLs and by some of the public. For nearly 10 years, we didn’t often admit to our own friends and workmates that we had served in Vietnam.
“Vietnam veterans see ourselves as survivors, not victims. The Vietnam Veterans Association has been very therapeutic for us. The ceremonies are about remembering the people we trained with, the people who never made it back, and the mateship,” Mr Matthew said.
“We did everything together, and we remember it 50 years on. Together then and together again.”
The 50th anniversary ceremony in Werribee will begin at Station Place cenotaph at 7am on Thursday.
Altona RSL will host a service at 9am the same day.
Vietnam Veterans Association members will then head to the Shrine of Remembrance for another service.
During the battle of Long Tan, 108 young Australians and three New Zealanders from D Company, Royal Australian Regiment, resisted an attack by more than 1500 Viet Cong forces that resulted in 17 D Company members and one armoured corps trooper being killed.
