Vietnam veterans gather in Canberra to mark 60 years since Long Tan battle
Sixty years after the Battle of Long Tan, veterans and officials laid wreaths at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.
On August 18, a commemorative service was held at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra to mark the 60th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Governor-General Samantha Mostyn, Veterans' Affairs Minister Matt Keogh, and Australian War Memorial director Matt Anderson were among the dignitaries who placed wreaths for the 18 Australian soldiers killed and 24 wounded in the 1966 fight. Vietnam veteran Graeme Davis described the extreme scarcity of ammunition and personnel, recalling a moment when the unit feared it would not survive.
Ward Gainey, president of the ACT Vietnam Veterans Federation, stressed the importance of honoring veterans and their families as they age. Reverend Mick O'Donnell, a former navy serviceman, read a prayer for peace and urged leaders to consider love over future conflicts. The event coincided with Vietnam Veterans' Day, underscoring its significance for former combatants and their relatives.
Why it matters
The ceremony highlights the enduring impact of the Vietnam War on Australian veterans and reinforces national remembrance of their service.
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