A crowd of more than fifty diggers and members of the community and visitors gathered at the Kingscliff Cenotaph last week to commemorate Vietnam Veterans day.
The event – held on the 45th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan – was held in blustery conditions which played havoc with the flags and microphones.
However despite the conditions the Kingscliff RSL Sub Branch soldiered on with the ceremony.
Master of Ceremonies and Kingscliff RSL vice president Brian Vickery said this year’s ceremony was particularly the loss of two young soldiers from this area in the past year as well as a number of significant anniversaries – 45 years since Long Tan, 100 years since the formation of the Royal Australian Navy, 90 years of the RAAF.
Guest speaker for this year’s event was Captain Simon Boxsell who served in Afghanistan and highlighted the differences and similarities between the army of the past and present. He talked about his role in helping set up a rehabilitation Battalion for soldiers coming home before thanking the Vietnam Veterans for their fight abroad but significantly their battle for recognition and to get help and support for returned solidiers.
