Vietnam Veterans from across the country gathered at Port Macquarie recently for the 44th reunion of the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral.
Almost 400 veterans and their families attended the program of events held over three days and many were here for several days, turning the reunion into a holiday on the Mid-North Coast.
Ross Hoy, local organiser and Battle of Coral veteran, said he was very pleased with the result.
“Many of those attending declared it their most enjoy-able reunion,” Mr Hoy said.
“I would particularly like to acknowledge the support of Port Macquarie Panthers and local Ex-Services Organisations including Port Macquarie RSL Sub-Branch and the Vietnam Veterans Peacekeepers and Peacemakers Association who contributed much to the success of the event.”
The Battle of FSB Coral saw Australian soldiers fight their largest, most sustained and most hazardous battle of the Vietnam War, with 20 losing their lives and many more wounded.
As at most reunions, there were those attending for the first time. One such was newly arrived Port Macquarie resident Steve Bell who had never heard about the reunions until he read about this one in last week’s paper. Steve was wounded on the second night of the battle and medically evacuated to an American military hospital.
For all those attending, it was a chance to reflect on their experiences, remember those who lost their lives, tell a few yarns, look at old photographs and even share some newly written prose about mateship.
The program included a meet and greet on Friday evening at Panthers, a civic welcome at the Glasshouse forecourt and then a march to the War Memorial on Town Green for a Commemoration and Memorial Service on Saturday afternoon. A reunion dinner was held at Panthers on Saturday night and a recovery breakfast on Sunday morning.
