Lest we Forget - Long Tan

[crowie]

About time these brave men were honoured!!

[wheelinround]

Long over due

[Charleville]

Agreed. Their's was a frightening experience.

However, read a history about the war such as the book by Paul Ham and it will be seen that there were several other excruciatingly tough battles that could have gone the wrong way.

Perhaps a little more recognition of some of the other battles might also be warranted.


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[Scott]

About time these brave men were honoured!!

Agreed, lest we forget.

[Scribbly Gum]

Long Tan citation offers closure for diggers

Updated August 18, 2011 12:00:22


The Governor-General Quentin Bryce has presented a unit citation to members of the Delta Company 6 RAR on the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.
The company was recognised for extraordinary gallantry in battle.
Eighteen Australian soldiers were killed during the battle against north Vietnamese forces in a rubber plantation 45 years ago today.
It was one of the most significant battles for Australian and New Zealand soldiers during the entire Vietnam conflict.
Speaking at the ceremony Prime Minister Julia Gillard remembered those who died in battle.
"We remember that 18 of our personnel died at Long Tan. 521 in Vietnam as a whole. We remember each of them and judge that they made the supreme sacrifice," she said.
More than 200 people have braved wet weather in Canberra to mark the anniversary.
Vietnam veteran Bill Rorke told the gathering of the stigma attached to being a Vietnam soldier and the isolation felt by many once they returned to Australia.
The president of the 6 RAR Association says the unit citation is long overdue.
The Governor-General will present the citation in a service at Brisbane's Enoggera Barracks today, after flying up from Canberra where she participated in the service commemorating the battle this morning.
Retired Major Tex Howarth says it is good news the soldiers will be recognised.
"It'll be a bit of closure for some of them because some of them, particularly for people like Harry Smith, Dave Sabben, they were awarded medals at the time of Long Tan, but they were all downgraded for political reasons," he said.
"And now they've been upgraded to the Australian equivalent of what they would have got back in those days, and I think it's a great thing that it's finally happened."
But the officer commanding the Australian soldiers who fought at Long Tan will miss today's presentation.
Major Harry Smith was Delta Company commander on the day of the battle, but is in Townsville for medical treatment.


Long Tan citation offers closure for diggers - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

This comes a very long time after the US presidential citation.
A shame it took so long
SG

[artme]

Long overdue!!

I was never a supporter of the Vietnam war BUT I accept that our fellas were sent there by the government of the day to do a job that the goverment deemed proper.That job was done well under difficult circumstances.

The fact tha a later goverment disagreed with that policy should never have led to the chicanery that followed. That was absolutely disgraceful.

Why has it taken so long for our politicians to realise that its over?? We have good relations with Vietnam and I think there is recognition that Australia has made trmendous efforts to help the nation economically.

This is somthing our American friends have yet to do. Perhaps it is their sense of shame at losing that keeps them at bay?

[Scribbly Gum]

Long overdue!!

I We have good relations with Vietnam and I think there is recognition that Australia has made trmendous efforts to help the nation economically.

Agreed.
One of the best holidays we have ever had was to spend a month in Vietnam.
What a beautiful country - and the people are so gentle and likable.
One of the structures in the whole country that they are most proud of is the Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River built by Balderstone Hornibrook (IIRC) as a gift from the Australian People.
Everywhere we went we were greeted and welcomed warmly. They really like Australians. We found the same feelings towards us in Turkey.

Funny old world isn't it?

SG

[jimbur]

Long overdue!!

I was never a supporter of the Vietnam war BUT I accept that our fellas were sent there by the government of the day to do a job that the goverment deemed proper.That job was done well under difficult circumstances.

Exactly.
Regards,
Jim

[Charleville]

We have good relations with Vietnam and I think there is recognition that Australia has made trmendous efforts to help the nation economically.

This is somthing our American friends have yet to do. Perhaps it is their sense of shame at losing that keeps them at bay?

Funny thing is that when you visit Vietnam, even to the heart of the old north, Hanoi, what you hear the young people playing is American music and you see outdoor advertisements for Pepsi. American culture invades everywhere.


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[artme]

I have not been to Vietnam yet Scribbly, but it is on the list.

We have Vietnamese neighbours who are just really great people. This morning Whang and I were having a bit of a chat just before I went to shift some corrugated iron down to the house from a rental property. It was only a one man job but he kindly offered to help. Not unusual to get home and find some veges on the front doorstep.

Agree with you about Turkey. I've been there because my grandfather was a Gallipoli veteran, The people were just so good, and even more so when they found we were from Australia.

It is quite humbling to go to Anzac Cove and see how the graveyards are so well kept and to see the statue of Attaturk with those words of his inscribed on the pedestal. There has never been a more gracious and humble victor that I can think of.

[artme]

Funny thing is that when you visit Vietnam, even to the heart of the old north, Hanoi, what you hear the young people playing is American music and you see outdoor advertisements for Pepsi. American culture invades everywhere.


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I guess they have been Pepsi Colanized!