VIC: Vietnam Veterans to gather at Shrine of Remembrance

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-1999
VIC: Vietnam Veterans to gather at Shrine of Remembrance

MELBOURNE, Aug 18 AAP - Vietnam Veterans' Day will be commemorated in Melbourne today with
a midday service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

It coincides with the 33rd anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, the fiercest combat
Australian troops were involved in during the Vietnam war.

Eighteen Australians died as a result of the battle against vastly superior numbers of
North Vietnamese regular troops in a rubber plantation in southern Vietnam.

A veterans' delegate spokesman said the march up to the shrine today would be difficult for
a lot of the veterans, many of whom suffered severe disabilities.

"It's a very proud and moving day for them," he told Radio 3AW.

"They want to be there to commemorate their colleagues," he said.

Vietnam veterans will mark Vietnam Veterans' Day around Australia today.

AAP st/ra/kr

KEYWORD: VIETNAM DAY

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.