HONOURING VIETNAM VETERANS IN WIDE BAY

Australians who served in the Vietnam War will be honoured at Vietnam Veterans’ Day ceremonies across Wide Bay next Thursday (August 18), Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien said.

“Almost 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam, with 521 losing their lives in the war and some 3,000 wounded,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Department of Veterans Affairs data tells us 621 service pensioners, who likely have been in danger from hostile enemy forces, live in our Wide Bay communities with an average age of 75.62 years.

“These Veterans have had incredible experiences and have compelling recollections about their service and I encourage all Australians to engage with those who served in Vietnam in what were overwhelmingly challenging circumstances, and learn about our nation’s war history.”

Mr O’Brien said the Vietnam War was the longest conflict in which Australians were involved in the 20th Century. The first Australians arrived in South Vietnam in 1962 as Australian Army Training Team Vietnam members, leaving a decade later.

“Vietnam Veterans are an important part of the ex-service community here in Wide Bay,” Mr O’Brien said.

“We should all pause next Thursday (August 18) and reflect on the service and sacrifice of all those Australians who served in Vietnam.

“We thank them for their service and courage and honour their bravery.”

Mr O’Brien is attending the following events to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day:

*9 am Vietnam Veterans Day Service, Memorial Park, Gympie

*11 am Vietnam Veterans Day (event details to come), Tin Can Bay

*4 pm Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration, Cenotaph, Tewantin Town Square, Tewantin