Community remembers Vietnam veterans

Stanthorpe RSL board member Norm Steele led the service on Wednesday evening. Pictures: JESS BAKER

By Jess Baker

Vietnam veterans, their family and friends, and members of the Stanthorpe community gathered on Wednesday 18 August to remember the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.

The memorial service, held at the Wall of Remembrance at Weeroona Park, was organised by the Granite Belt Sub Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVA) with the Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch to honour the service of all Australians who served their country during peacekeeping missions and war.

Member of the VVA Sub Branch Greg Mugridge said it was great to see so many people in attendance on Wednesday.

While Greg technically didn’t step foot on the shores of Vietnam during the war, he did undertake three voyages to the country in 1967 as an ordinary seaman in the Royal Australian Navy.

He served on troop carrier HMAS Sydney as a cook, working with six or seven others to feed about 1600 people – including up to 1300 soldiers – each trip.

Greg said, for a long time, he wasn’t recognised for his service during the conflict.

“It took 25 years for me and 5000 other servicemen to be recognised,” Greg said.

“But I got my medals in the mail one day.”

Greg said he was fortunate to spend so much time at sea during his six years of service, after joining the Navy in 1966.

President of the VVA Sub Branch Graham Slater, who served in the Australian Army’s 17th Construction Squadron during the Vietnam War, performed civil work in Vietnam from the end of 1968 to the end of 1969.

He said it was great that veterans and members of the community could meet on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

Member for Southern Downs James Lister, Stanthorpe RSL Sub Branch board member Norm Steele, and Reverend Kaye Ronalds spoke at the event, thanking Vietnam veterans for their service and sacrifice.

On 18 August 1966, during the Battle of Long Tan, 17 Australians were killed and a further 25 were wounded.

Each year, on the anniversary of the battle, memorials are held across the country to acknowledge and pay respects to the 60,000 Australian men and women who served their country through the Vietnam War.