Veterans from throughout the South West travelled to Donnybrook on August 19 to mark the 52nd anniversary of The Battle of Long Tan.
The Donnybrook RSL welcomed around 120 members and their families from Harvey/Brunswick, Collie /Cardiff, Busselton, Manjimup, Pemberton, Bunbury, Boyup Brook, Darkan, Greenbushes, Margaret River, and Augusta for Vietnam Veterans’ Day for the commemoration service.
Members of the Harvey/Brunswick Red Cross were also in attendance.
Each year, the commemoration is held in a different South West town.
More than 500 Australians lost their lives in the Vietnam War, and many of those who survived are still suffering from the trauma they went through.
Arriving home from the conflict, many were shunned and treated as the enemy due to many Australians not agreeing with the war.
Donnybrook RSL president Ric Evans addressed the crowd, followed by Garry Davis who spoke of the war and those of from the area who had fought and died.
The laying of the wreaths from each visiting town followed, before the Ode was read and the Last Post, played on trumpet by Donnybrook District High School student Callum Gray, sounded.
A one minute silence was followed by the Rousse, the National Anthem and the Catafalque party marched off.
Guests then walked to the Memorial Hall where they enjoyed lunch, raffles and auctions of a few items.
