Milestone: Friday marked the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War. Photos: Aidan Briggs
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The Moama RSL Memorial Garden was the venue for a commemorative service which marked the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.
Reflection: The Australian and New Zealand flags fly at half-mast during the commemorative service.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
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The service honoured and remembered the service of some 60,000 Australian men and women who served in Vietnam during the 11-year war.
More than 3000 Australians were wounded and 523 lost their lives.
Together: Echuca RSL Sub-branch committee member Beresford Ralph, Moama RSL Sub-branch members Bryan Pickthall and Pam Culph, Echuca RSL Sub-branch secretary Maggie Stewart and Echuca RSL Sub-branch president Denis Shanahan.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Moama RSL Sub-branch president Ken Jones said Vietnam’s place in Australia’s history made the war last much longer.
“All war is ugly, but this time it was a bizarre reality. One moment these 19 and 20-year-old youngsters were in Australian camps and suddenly found themselves on planes — often a Qantas plane — and disembarking in a war zone in the energy-sapping tropics,” Mr Jones said.
Trio: Bruce Smith, Leigh Bennett and Allan Wallace attended the service.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“They were there because the law said that’s where they had to be, but so many people — too many, in fact — at home were so brutal in their criticism and their attacks on them.
Dynamic duo: Graeme Richter and Allan Sullivan
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“And when they came home after surviving their tour of duty, it did not let up. Even the RSL didn’t want to know initially. We weren’t even allowed to march until the late 1980s.
Attention: Pam Culph at the Vietnam veterans commemoration day.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
“These days, more often than not, we are the lead marchers, because the others are all but gone.”
Floral tribute: The wreaths at the service.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
The service was followed by a morning tea at the Moama RSL.
Riverine Herald photographer Aidan Briggs was there as the twin towns paid their respects.
Catch-up: Richard Wearne, Murray River Police District Inspector Paul Huggett, Colin Perkins and John Morey.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
Poignant: The crowd observes a minute of silence at Moama RSL on Friday.
Photo by
Aidan Briggs
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