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Remembrance day 2011at AWM

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1st Anniversary of the Unveiling and dedication of the National Service Memorial at AWM

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Delta Company Honoured on veterans' day

By Myles Peterson

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Veterans, their friends, families and supporters gathered in freezing conditions on Anzac Parade yesterday to commemorate Vietnam Veterans' Day.
Canberra's top dignitaries and politicians also turned out to honour the memory of those who had fallen and acknowledge the sacrifices of all those who served. Later in the day in Brisbane the survivors of Delta Company 6RAR were honoured. The company was presented with a Unit Citation for Gallantry for its actions in the Battle of Long Tan.
In Canberra, Gerry Mapstone performed the moving task of reading the honour roll with a fellow Vietnam veteran. "One of the names I read out was a young pilot I flew with in Vietnam . . . Ron was in his early 20s," he said. Ronald Betts, aged 23, was killed on March 20, 1971. Three more of the men honoured at the ceremony were aged 19 when they died.
"They were very young . . . War impacts the young most of all ‑Vietnam was infamous because of the [average] age of service eras 19," Mr. Mapstone said.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard spoke at length about the tragedy of war, quoting Australian historian Paul Ham who said, "the last act of war is to grieve".
In this nation, we do not glorify war . . . We honour – but we do not glorify," the Prime Minister said. "We are a different nation because of Vietnam. We are a different nation than if those men had stayed at home and worked and married and built their lives."
Other attendees included Opposition Leader Tony Abbott, Governor General Quentin Bryce and her predecessor Major General Michael Jeffery, ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher, ACT Opposition Leader Zed Seselja and US ambassador Jeff Bleich. Ms Bryce was also at the Brisbane service and presented the Unit Citation for Gallantry to Delta Company for successfully repelling a large contingent of Vietcong during the Vietnam conflict at Long Tan in 1966. About 180 Australian and New Zealand troops prevailed over 2500 Vietcong in extreme conditions, including torrential rain and terrain that gave little cover.
The victory was credited with ensuring the Australian base they defended was never again exposed to attack. But the soldiers who fought were never formally recognised in Australia ‑ until now.

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Singled out for a gallantry medal yesterday was former platoon commander Dave Sabben, then 21, who during the battle led his men to the rescue of another platoon that had been surrounded.
Mr. Sabben, 66, said it was "very gratifying" to receive the medal after so many years, adding it was even better to see his unit recognised on the same day.      
with AAP
Sourced from Canberra Times 19/08/2011

 
     

 

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Date site updated:2nd September 2011

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