Vietnam veterans honoured locally

Services at Warragul and Longwarry North on Sunday honoured ex-military personnel that served in the Vietnam conflict from 1962-1975, Australia's longest involvement in a war last century.
At Warragul about 20 veterans of the war were among a crowd of about 100 people at the town's cenotaph that marked Vietnam Veterans Day on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966.
The Australian and New Zealand flags flew from the flagpoles at the observance and the ceremony concluded with singing of both national anthems by local resident Lynn Jones, a tribute to the military association between the two countries that began in World War 1 and continued in Vietnam.
Long Tan was the location of Australia's largest battle in Vietnam.
Seventeen Australians from the Royal Australian Regiment's 7th battalion were killed and 25 wounded. They were among 521 Australians killed and some 3000 wounded during the 13 years of the conflict in which almost 60,000 Australian soldiers, sailors and air force personnel were involved.
About half that served have since passed away, the youngest veterans now aged in their seventies.
The solemn service at Warragul on Sunday included the playing of the Last Post and Reveille by bugler Julie Christie and appropriate musical presentations by the Warragul RSL Pipes and Drums.
RSL president Ben Vahland said in addition to honouring the sacrifices of those that served, Vietnam Veterans Day also was a time to reflect on the impact on families during and after the war and the efforts of many that had advocated to government for recognition and support of the veterans.
Guest speaker at the service was Kevin Stephens, president of Longwarry RSL and one of those seriously wounded.
Mr Stephens, who grew up at Ripplebrook and was among the 20 year-olds conscripted into the Army during the 1960s and 1970s, spoke of the incident on June 11,1967, when he was shot in both legs during a contact with enemy, his evacuation from the field by "dust-off" helicopter, his long recovery in hospital and return last January to Vietnam including to the site where he was wounded after being pressured by family members who accompanied him.
He also spoke emotionally of some of the people he served with and of others that me met during his recovery and rehabilitation, some considerably more damaged that himself.
Liberal Candidate for Monash Mary Aldred said it was an honour to attend the Gippsland Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans' Association's service at Longwarry North.
"It was an honour to lay a wreath at today's Longwarry Vietnam Veterans' Day Service, alongside Narracan MP Wayne Farnham and Baw Baw Shire Crs Peter Kostos and Michael Leeney. It was a privilege to speak with Vietnam Vets including One Eye, who generously shared their experiences with us," she said.
"On this special day, a grateful nation gives thanks for the most supreme sacrifice that any Australian can ever make," she said.