Edmund Coleman
AROUND 40 people gathered at the Swan Hill Cenotaph yesterday to commemorate Vietnam Veteran’s Day.
Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) Swan Hill president Ian Triplett was conscripted for the war when he was 19 years old.
“The day means a lot to me, a lot to all of us that can get together on Vietnam Veteran’s Day,” Mr Triplett said.
“We have a lot of fun after the service, a few beers, lots of banter and exaggerations, but it’s good to get together with the local veterans.”
The Swan Hill VVAA sub-branch has a strong community of Vietnam veterans, wives and widows with over 70 members.
Vietnam Veteran’s Day marks the Battle of Long Tan in 1966; this year also commemorated the 50th anniversary of Operation Babylift.
