By Kath Gannaway
Vietnam veterans were applauded as they marched the length of Warburton on Sunday to commemorate the 521 Australians who died in the Vietnam War.
The annual Yarra Valley and Outer Eastern Melbourne Vietnam Veterans Day service recognises the 3000 wounded and the many who still live with the fallout of the war.
Vietnam veteran and former leader of the National Party and Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer took part in the march, and spoke of the military and broader role Australia played in that war.
“There were some huge mistakes made, but the service of Australians was right up there in the best tradition of the Anzacs,” he said.
He said it bought time for Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to fortify their governments and stand up to the revolutionary forces in their provinces, helping bring a degree of stability to Australia.
“That’s one of the legacies of the Vietnam War that should also be remembered as we salute your service here today,” he said to the veterans.
Casey MP Tony Smith said a nation would never again treat their servicemen and women in the way the Vietnam returnees were treated.
In the resurrected tradition of the Anzac Day parades, members of the CFA, SES, local schools and family members walked with the veterans showing support as a community.
Warburton footballer Liam Barnard’s rendition of John Schumann’s anthem ‘I Was Only 19’, moved many to tears for the honesty of its lyrics and the moving delivery.
The event is an initiative of the Vietnam Veterans Community, Outer Eastern Melbourne Sub-branch VVAA, the RSL sub-branches of Warburton, Healesville, Croydon, Lilydale, Marysville, Mount Evelyn, Upper Yarra, and Yarra Glen and the National Serviceman’s Association.
See more photos of the Vietnam Veterans commemoration at www.mailnewsgroup.com .
