Community & Business
12 August, 2022
Vietnam Veteran's Day at RSL
A service at the Pittsworth RSL on Yandilla St next week will commemorate Australia's part in the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam Veteran’s Day service will be held at the Pittsworth RSL on Thursday, August 18 and members of the public are welcome to come along and show their respect.
It will also be a chance to view the memorabilia collections, including a new room dedicated to the Vietnam conflict that has recently been created.
August 18 commemorates the Battle of Long Tan which took place in a rubber plantation near Long Tân, in South Vietnam in 1966.
Australia was involved in South Vietnam from the early 1960s until total withdrawal in 1975.
At the height of the war, two battalions of infantry with support from engineers, armour, artillery and supporting services were deployed in Nui Dat.
Pittsworth RSL Sub-Branch vice-president Mike
Vogler said August 18 marked a day when Delta Coy 6th Battalion the
Royal Australian Regiment were engaged in contact with enemy forces
estimated to be 15 times greater than their 105 Australians and three New Zealand artillery forward controllers.
During the battle much of it in monsoon rains
D Coy was able, with support, to hold off and defeat 2,500 enemy.
“This battle was considered to be significant because 18 young Australians lost their lives,” Mr Vogler said.
“Although Long Tan was a major battle other veterans will remember other names like the Long Hais, Coral and Balmoral.
“These operations were no less significant to them.”
Five thousand Australians served in South Vietnam with more than 500 killed.
Thousands were wounded.
Pittsworth has 11 surviving Vietnam veterans; V. P. Barrett, L. C. Baartz, R. Elliott, R. Hearne,
F. V. Hurman, A. F. Johns, M. K. Kahler, P. F. Power,
B. Saal, G Schleehauf and
R. E. Whittaker.
There are seven from the district who have passed:
D. Boyes, R. Boyes,
M Fletcher, R. J. Grifiths,
K.. J. Lynch, L. H. Nielsen and W. J. Nielsen.
Pittsworth Cadets will attend the service with pastoral carer Charlie Uebergang leading the prayer.
Guest speaker will be Pittsworth Police Senior Constable Stephen Johnson who spent several years in the Army.
The RSL will be open to visitors from 11am.
RSL members will also be selling merchandise in the lead-up, at Pittsworth Newsagency, on August 16 and 17.
