Honouring our Vietnam Veterans

This year marks 60 years since Australia’s first involvement in the Vietnam War and today the Governor joined veterans, families and officials to pay his respect, to those who fought and those who lost their lives, at a Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day service at King’s Park.

Every year around Australia a commemorative service is held on or close to the date of August 18, which marks the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, one of the fiercest battles faced by Australian soldiers across the ten years of our nation’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Recognised as Vietnam Veteran’s Day, each year the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia WA (VVAA WA) Branch hold a remembrance service the Sunday prior to August 18, bringing together Australian and Vietnamese veterans and community members, as well as those from New Zealand, America, Korea and other nations to pay tribute to the fallen.

The Governor was welcomed to the service by VVAA WA President Mr Richard Williams OAM, before being invited to lay a wreath on behalf of all Western Australians.

The service included a reading of the Roll of Honour of Western Australian Vietnam Veterans Killed in Action, as well as a prayer reading by Mr Thanh Van Nguyen, President, Republic of Vietnam Veterans Association of WA.

Following the official wreath laying guests were invited to pay their own respects by the placing of a red poppy.

A televised service will be held on Thursday 18 August at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne and it can be viewed here.

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