Memories of Vietnam

By Mara Pattison-Sowden
MORE than 120 people from across the Yarra Valley turned out in pouring rain to pay tribute to those people who served, suffered and died in the Vietnam War.
Warburton RSL hosted this year’s commemoration, which has been shared by the Yarra Valley community of RSL sub-branches across the valley since 2004.
The veterans marched down the parade path on Sunday morning to the cenotaph in Warburton’s memorial park, with 408 Squadron from the Royal Australian Air Force Cadets leading the way.
Wreaths were laid by representatives of each RSL sub-branch, the National Servicemen’s Association, Legacy, local, state and federal governments.
Author and veteran of the battle of Long Tan Dave Sabben spoke to the gathering about sacrifice, the “surrender of something valuable as a means of gaining something more desirable”.
His example was the slaughter at The Nek, when Australian soldiers were fighting the Turks at Gallipoli during World War II.
Mr Sabben said the first wave of troops went over the top of the ridge and were killed instantly.
He said three more waves of troops, 150 in each, knew they were running out of the trenches and into death. “So why did they do it?” he asked.
“They had an identity, orders, team effort and personal integrity. Soldiers have a sense of honour that is more important than death,” Mr Sabben said.
“They would literally rather die than let their mates down. And that’s why the whole nation respects the sacrifice of a soldier. Where else in our society do you see such honour?”
Vietnam Veterans Day is officially this Wednesday, 18 August.