Shoalhaven remembers its Vietnam veterans | South Coast Registry

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Shoalhaven Vietnam veterans gathered to pay their respects to their fallen comrades during a moving service in Bomaderry. It may have been a few months late due to COVID-related disruptions, but the Vietnam Veterans Association’s annual commemoration of Shoalhaven to mark Vietnam Veterans Day took place on Wednesday afternoon. (November 3) in Bomaderry. The Shoalhaven branch had planned to mark the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, but this service has been postponed due to ongoing COVID restrictions. Shoalhaven branch president Clyde Poulton has determined that the event will take place “as soon as possible” after restrictions are relaxed. Read more: “We were never going to cancel, that’s for sure,” Mr Poulton said. “We hadn’t missed a memorial service in 40 years and we weren’t about to start now.” A crowd of around 50 gathered at Walsh Park in Bomaderry for the memorial service, with Air Force Cadets from Shoalhaven providing the catafalque feast. The keynote speaker was RSL NSW Board Chair and well-known Shoalhaven resident Sophie Ray. “We come together to pause and reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance of all the Australians who fought for their country from 1962 to 1973,” she said. “This year, COVID has made it difficult to come together to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans, so we have found other ways to connect, by phone or through social media.” Today we Let us pay tribute to the 521 Australians who lost their lives in the Battle of Vietnam and the 3,000 who were wounded, sick or injured or those who still bear the physical or emotional scars of their service more than 50 years later. ” August 18, which was originally Long Tan Day, commemorates the efforts of 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought a pitched battle against more than 2,000 North Vietnamese and Vietnamese soldiers at a rubber plantation not far from the small village of Long Tan -18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded. Unit Citation, only the third time that an Australian Army unit has received such an important honor. “Many of you were young, many were just out of school when you joined the Australian Army, Navy or Air Force before heading to Vietnam, ”Ms. Ray said. “In no time you have gone from boys to men and from young girls to women, finding yourself or your loved ones in one of the most polarizing conflicts in our nation’s history.” She described how Australia “emerged from under the mantle of the British Empire” and fought alongside “her new brothers in arms the United States of America and her companions in New Zealand”. “At home, the mood about the war was changing and losing political support,” she said. a new kind of war closer to you. “Most of you returned home for protests and conflicts and felt alienated from your communities and the RSL and it was not until 1987 that your service was publicly recognized with a welcome march.” , Ms. Ray “This period of reflection is an important reminder that there are now many generations who have fought to protect our country and the RSL needs to make sure it has to take care of them.” It all hurts the RSL NSW Board of Directors to think that a veteran of a conflict from Vietnam hasn’t found the connection or support they need from RSL. “Although, unfortunately, we know that to be true.” Today and every day, whether we are members of RSL, members of other veterans organizations, members of veterans’ families, or members of the community in general, we must support our veterans, no matter what service, war, conflict or peacekeeping mission they have been involved in. “She described the RSL’s plan to ensure the support of veterans and families and which includes the establishment of a Veterans Welfare Center to be established in Shoalhaven.” As a passionate local of Shoalhaven , I am so proud that the center, which is a collaboration between RSL NSW, the RSL Lifecare partner charity and many other local ex-military organizations, is established in Nowra and is now recognized as a role model for others. Veteran wellness centers will be deployed around NSW. “The next center is set to open in Wagga, with discussions to establish four more such centers across NSW. She invited everyone to visit the center to find out about the services it provides, with all veterans services located under one roof. We depend on subscription income to support our journalism. If you l You can subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support. Subscribe to our new daily newsletters

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Shoalhaven Vietnam veterans gathered to pay their respects to their fallen comrades during a moving service in Bomaderry.

It may have been a few months late due to COVID-related disruptions, but the Vietnam Veterans Association’s annual commemoration of Shoalhaven to mark Vietnam Veterans Day took place on Wednesday afternoon. (November 3) in Bomaderry.

The Shoalhaven branch had planned to mark the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, but this service has been postponed due to ongoing COVID restrictions.

“We were never going to cancel, for sure,” Mr. Poulton said.

“We hadn’t missed a memorial service in 40 years and we weren’t about to start now.”

Veterans Memorial Service in Vietnam on Wednesday.” title=”GUEST SPEAKER: Chairman of the Board of Directors of RSL NSW and well-known resident of Shoalhaven, Sophie Ray was the keynote speaker at the Shoalhaven Veterans Memorial Service in Vietnam on Wednesday.” width=”3456″ height=”1951″ itemprop=”image”/>

GUEST SPEAKER: Chairman of the Board of Directors of RSL NSW and well-known resident of Shoalhaven, Sophie Ray was the keynote speaker at the Shoalhaven Veterans Memorial Service in Vietnam on Wednesday.

A crowd of around 50 gathered at Walsh Park in Bomaderry for the memorial service, with Air Force Cadets from Shoalhaven providing the catafalque feast.

The keynote speaker was RSL NSW Board Chair and well-known Shoalhaven resident Sophie Ray.

“We come together to pause and reflect on the bravery, teamwork and endurance of all the Australians who fought for their country from 1962 to 1973,” she said.

“This year, COVID has made it difficult to come together to remember the service and sacrifice of our veterans, so we have found other ways to connect, by phone or through social media.

We pay tribute to the 521 Australians who lost their lives in the Battle of Vietnam and the 3,000 who were wounded, sick or injured or those who still bear the physical or emotional scars of their service more than 50 years later.

RSL NSW Board Chair Sophie Ray.

“Today we honor the 521 Australians who lost their lives in the Battle of Vietnam and the 3000 who were wounded, sick or injured or those who still bear the physical or emotional scars of their service over 50 years plus late.”

+50

August 18, which was originally Long Tan Day, commemorates the efforts of 108 Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought a pitched battle against more than 2,000 North Vietnamese and Vietnamese soldiers at a rubber plantation not far from the small village of Long Tan -18 Australians were killed and 24 were injured.

The bravery displayed by D Company has been recognized by the United States Presidential Unit Citation, only the third time that an Australian Army unit has received such a significant honor.

“Many of you were young, many were just graduating from school when you joined the Australian Army, Navy or Air Force before coming to Vietnam,” Ms. Ray said.

“In no time you have gone from boys to men and from young girls to women, finding yourself or your loved ones in one of the most polarizing conflicts in our nation’s history.”

She described how Australia “emerged from under the mantle of the British Empire” and fought alongside “her new brothers in arms the United States of America and her companions in New Zealand”.

“At home, the mood about the war was changing and losing political support,” she said. a new type of war closer to home.

“Most of you returned home after protests and conflicts and felt alienated from your communities and the RSL and it was not until 1987 that your service was publicly recognized with a welcome march.” Ms. Ray said.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service.” title=”RESPECT: Legendary local bugle Peter Williams performed The Last Post and Revival at the Shoalhaven Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service.” width=”2911″ height=”1889″ itemprop=”image”/>

RESPECT: Legendary local bugle Peter Williams performed The Last Post and Revival at the Shoalhaven Vietnam Veterans Memorial Service.

“This time of reflection is an important reminder that there are now many generations who have fought to protect our country and the RSL must make sure it has to take care of them.

“It hurts all of us on the RSL NSW Board of Directors to think that a veteran of a conflict from Vietnam has not found the connection or support he needs from RSL.

“Although, unfortunately, we know this to be true.

“Today and every day, whether we are members of RSL, members of other veterans organizations, members of veterans families or members of the community at large, we must support our veterans, no matter what. the service, war, conflict or peacekeeping mission in which they participated. “

The next center is set to open in Wagga, with discussions to establish four more such centers across New South Wales.

We depend on subscription income to support our journalism. If you can, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.

Subscribe to our new daily newsletters