HEADING towards the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, the Central Murray Football Netball League (CMFNL) will host the second annual Vietnam Veterans Round with the best on ground at each match to receive a special medallion.
With so much history surrounding the Vietnam War, Castle Donnington resident and Vietnam Veteran John Pye will be attending the match in Lalbert, to remember the fallen and commemorate this occasion.
Speaking to The Guardian, Mr Pye said it was a special event to be involved in and he wanted everyone to celebrate all military personnel.
“We are happy to be involved with all of this and it gives everyone a chance to find out what happened all those years ago… it was the equivalent of an entire football team dying and that puts (the Battle of Long Tan) into perspective,” the 6th Battalion member said.
“We lost one mate when I went over (in 1969), and it happened in the first angry shots. It made it real for us and now I take a step back and remember it all.
“It isn’t the only war, these events are for people who are serving now as well. There always seems to be someone away fighting.”
With so much emotion set to flow on Saturday, Swan Hill fullback Tom Corridan said he was honoured to play on the day.
He will contest in the night match against Kerang, and will reflect on the reality of what so many soldiers went through 50 years ago.
“You look back and think what they have done, so I will take my moments beforehand and reflect,” he told The Guardian.
“This has got a bit to do with the veterans and what they have done for us. Without them we might not be playing each weekend like we are and it is something we take for granted … it is an honour to be out there and I hope we can give back to them in our own way.”
The CMFNL established the round last year when Swan Hill Vietnam Veterans president Harold Heslop brought the idea forward.
The dedicated goal umpire and veteran pushed the idea, with the league jumping on board.
AFL Central Murray regional operations manager David Alderuccio said the CMFNL was lucky to have the event and he was proud to be able to host it tomorrow.
“It is great to be able to acknowledge the veterans through the league, Harold Heslop has done a fantastic job to put this together and it is great to have all the clubs involved,” he said.
“It will be about remembering the fallen and reflecting on what they contributed to the country and what we have today.”
