AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2006
Fed: Service marks Vietnam Vets' Day
CANBERRA, Aug 18 AAP - Vietnam war veterans have been honoured at a memorial service
in Canberra attended by hundreds of survivors of Australia's longest military engagement.
The Vietnam Veterans' Day service also marks the 40th anniversary of the battle of
Long Tan, Australia's bloodiest confrontation in the decade-long war, in which 18 diggers
were killed and 24 wounded.
Prime Minister John Howard paid tribute to the veterans, drawing parallels between
Long Tan and the western front battle of Fromelles 90 years ago which claimed 5,500 Australian
casualties.
"They are bound together in the history of this country and in the consciousness of
who we are by the common characteristics of Australians that were on display at those
two battles: those characteristics of courage, of initiative, of individual fortitude
and of mateship," Mr Howard told the service.
He also recognised the psychological strain suffered by many Vietnam veterans following
what was an unpopular war.
"We're very conscious of the lingering impact of that psychological strain," Mr Howard said.
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KEYWORD: LONGTAN SERVICE
) 2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.
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