This day was chosen as it commemorated the Battle of Long Tan where D Company 6th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, engaged a large enemy force and as a consequence, 18 fine young Australians were killed in action on August 18, 1966 and 24 wounded.

This day is synonymous with the Vietnam War and we remember all those who made the supreme sacrifice during Australia’s involvement and the thousands who have died (many prematurely) since their return.

Friday marks 51 years since the Battle of Long Tan – the first major conflict of the Vietnam War involving the Australian Armed Forces.

This is a day on which we pay tribute to the bravery and service, not only of the Australians involved in the operation at Long Tan, but of all our 59,520 personnel who served in Vietnam.

Only those who served will ever truly know the extreme difficulties encountered by Australian troops in the jungles of Vietnam.

Of course, those difficulties did not end with the fighting. For Vietnam veterans, life after the war could never be the same. Thousands of servicemen have developed long-term health problems associated with what they were exposed to in Vietnam.  

Tragically, they are over-represented in statistics on respiratory disorders, cancer, depression and suicide. Community attitudes at the time of their return home meant our veterans were denied the recognition they rightfully deserved.  

After all, they had put their lives on the line for our country.

Thankfully, over the past 25 or so years, community opinions have changed. Australia has become a more enlightened place. The courage and selfless service of our personnel who served in Vietnam is now recognised on this day each year. Instead of being shunned, our veterans are finally getting the recognition they deserve.

It’s long overdue.

58,355 Australian Military Personnel served in Vietnam (many in multiple tours of duty) between 1962 and 1973. Casualties were 508 dead (including seven civilians), 3131 wounded, six missing in action, now gratefully recovered.

For those who gave their lives, we do not forget. For those who served and have been suffering since, we hold a great respect.

The Vietnam War was significant as it was the first war involving many National Servicemen. The casualty rate for National Servicemen was more than twice the average for all service personnel. 17,424 National Servicemen served in Vietnam, about 27 per cent of the 63,735 National Servicemen who served.  

National Servicemen formed an official limit of 40 per cent of the units in Vietnam, but in fact this rose to more than 60 per cent in the newer battalions. Consequently, they suffered a higher casualty rate. 200 National Servicemen died in Vietnam and suffered 1279 wounded.

Three of our own local men who paid the supreme sacrifice were 235250 Captain Tony Danilenko (MID), 216445 Corporal Denis Donnelly and 2782783 Private Dougie Powter.  Dougie was a National Serviceman.

We gather on this historical day not to glorify war but to acknowledge the sacrifices and remember the dead.