A CROWD gathered at Swan Hill’s cenotaph on Monday to remember those who fought in the Vietnam War.
Lasting from 1962 to 1972, the Vietnam War is the longest major conflict in which Australia has been involved.
Of the 60,000 Australian men and women who served, 521 died and 3000 were wounded.
Harold Heslop, who has received an Order of Australia Medal, and is the president of the Swan Hill and District Branch of the Vietnam Veterans Association, said this year’s Vietnam Veterans’ Remembrance Day also marked the 48th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. One of the bloodiest of the war, the Battle of Long Tan saw 18 Australians killed and two dozen wounded during a gun battle with the Viet Cong.
Mr Helsop presented the Swan Hill RSL sub-branch with a painting titled The Battle of Long Tan by Allan Waite to mark the anniversary.
“The original is in Puckpapunyal, but there are only 150 prints available,” he said.
Monday also brought to a close the veterans association’s annual Badge Week, which raises much-needed funds for veteran and veteran family welfare.
