Vietnam commemorative service

A commemorative service in Warragul next week will honour Australians that served in the war in Vietnam 50 years after combat operations ended.
The Warragul and Drouin RSL sub-branches are joining for a commemorative service tomorrow at the Warragul RSL clubrooms in Albert St that will include flag raising and laying of a wreath starting at 10.25 am.
There'll be a live stream of the commemorative service at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance from 11 a.m. and morning tea and a light luncheon.
Vietnam Veterans' Day is marked on the August 18 anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966 in which Australian troops, despite being outnumbered 20 to one, defied enemy forces in a battle that claimed the lives of 18 Australians.
Another 24 were wounded.
Almost 60,000 Australian troops served in Vietnam from 1962 to 1972 with 521 losing their lives and another 3000 suffering wounds.
Some limited elements remained in Vietnam after combat operations ceased and as late as 1975 the RAAF was involved in the evacuation of refugees after the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese troops.
Warragul RSL president Ben Vahland has extended an invitation for people to attend.
He said he was looking forward to a large attendance of local Vietnam veterans, widows and family members of veterans including from New Zealand, United States and South Vietnam units that served alongside Australian forces as well as members of district RSL sub-branches.