Crowd stops to remember

Respect, reflection, remembrance and gratitude were prime among the emotions last Thursday as the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan was commemorated in Rockingham and Mandurah and across the country.

The battle in August 1966 saw Australian forces in the Vietnam War pinned down and outnumbered by enemy forces.

After a number of days of heavy fighting, the 1st Australian Task Force confirmed a decisive victory over the Viet Cong — but 18 Australian soldiers gave the biggest sacrifice in the quest for victory.

Fifty years on and members of the Rockingham and Mandurah communities, young and old, paid homage to those who defended Australia in the conflict half a century ago.

In Rockingham, the City RSL sub-branch orchestrated an evening commemorative service to mark the milestone.

A group paid their respects at the Rockingham Vietnam Veterans’ Rock, with a number of veterans joined by RAAF cadets and members of the public. The service included a wreath laying, the Ode, the Last Post and a minute’s silence, while the Royal Australian Navy Band WA provided support.

Rockingham RSL ceremonial events co-ordinator Lyndon Jackson said it was an emotional day.

“Bad weather has a tendency to keep people away, especially given the age of our veterans, but it was well attended despite being bitterly cold,” he said.

“It was a battle against insurmountable odds and I guess you could say they triumphed. Each year, we need to acknowledge and respect what they did for us.

“There were a few tears being shed.”

The Mandurah Murray Vietnam Veterans Group and the City of Mandurah also conducted a commemorative service at 10am.

A parade was held from the Eastern Foreshore to the Mandurah War Memorial with the Royal Australian Navy Guard leading and passing the saluting dais on the way.

In addition to the guard, there were numerous associations marching, including the Scotch College Pipes and Drum Band, plus 62 high school students marching as flag bearers with the Australian national flag — each representing one of the 62 WA servicemen killed in Vietnam.

There was also an RAAF fly-over during the service.

HMAS Stirling commanding officer Brian Delamont said the anniversary of Long Tan was critical in Australian military history.

“Like most of the events nowadays, the services were very community based,” he said.

“We certainly saw this as a significant event in the overall Vietnam memorial and to remember the 50th anniversary of Long Tan.

“It has been great to be a part of the ongoing recognition of the Vietnam generation and their contribution.”