AVietnam Veterans Day took place at the Penola War Memorial Park last week, which was held on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

The day commemorated the service and sacrifice of the 60,000 men and women who served Australia throughout the Vietnam War.

The service consisted of a talk and a wreath laying followed by lunch at the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Coonawarra Penola RSL president Peter De Garis said the Battle of Long Tan was one of the major conflicts in Vietnam.

“One company of 6th Battalion Royal Australian, approximately 100 men, met 2000 Vietnamese in a rubber plantation and successfully defended the task force,” he said.

“Two-thousand Vietnamese had come to try and wipe out the Australian task force with the cooperation of artillery and the armoured, eventually the Vietnamese withdrew.

“That’s why Vietnam Veterans Day is held on this day because of this Battle of Long Tan.

“The Vietnam conflict was the longest conflict Australians had been involved in, it went for some years, there were approximately 60,000 Australians that served over there.

“There were 531 killed and there were 3000 wounded.

“The war memorial has got one of our locals who was killed in Vietnam, a fella called David Steen, and he came from Penola, he was a conscript.”

The three local veterans living in Penola include Mr De Garis, Neville Dickson and David Strother.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Geoff Brock said Vietnam Veterans Day provided people the opportunity to reflect on the bravery and endurance displayed by Australians during the war and to show respect for the sacrifices they made to protect the ideals we hold dear today.

“As the brother of a Vietnam Veteran, I have seen first-hand the effect the Vietnam War had on those who served,” Minister Brock said.

“And I would like to acknowledge the important work of those South Australian organisations that provide dedicated services, support and friendship to Vietnam veterans and their families.”