By ALENA HIGGINS
COLD and blustery conditions failed to deter a stoic crowd from gathering at Leslie Park to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on Monday.
Haunting sounds of bagpipe and bugler rang out across the Warwick park as local dignitaries joined returning servicemen to lay wreaths and pay their respects.
The Battle of Long Tan began on 18 August 1966 in a rubber plantation near Long Tan, South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
Heavily outnumbered and surrounded, Australian forces faced hours of savage attacks by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese, but courageously maintained their lines, forcing the enemy to withdraw.
Guest speaker and former member of the 6th Battalion Major Warrick Talbot said it was this display of military might against all odds that strengthened the Anzac sprit.
“This epic battle and many other that the Australians were involved in reinforced those traits for which Australian soldiers have become world-renowned: courage, determination, mateship, teamwork, leadership and tenacity, compassion and humour,” Major Talbot said.
“I can attest to the fact that many of those lessons learnt from the Vietnam conflict, including tactics, techniques and procedures, are taught and revised for today’s soldiers.”
The day now marks more than the Battle of Long Tan, and is a time when all Vietnam War veterans are remembered and their service honoured.
“We honour those who did not return and those who returned injured in body or mind,” Major Talbot said.
“None will be forgotten; nor indeed will the families and loved ones who supported the soldiers.”
As the last post rang out the crowd paused for a minute’s silence.
Afterwards, Reverend Tony Shumack led the crowd in prayer.
He said it was important history did not repeat itself, referring to the hostile treatment of Australian troops after the war, which was the cause of widespread social and political dissent.
“Awaken the appreciation within our nation of the ongoing price paid by our defence forces, because the greatest ingratitude of a nation is to neglect the price that has been paid,” he said.
Some 521 Australians died as a result of the war and more than 3,000 were wounded during Australia’s involvement from 1962 to 1973.
For more photos of the event, head to our website freetimes.com.au
