By Melissa Meehan
MORE than 500 veterans and their families came together this month to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) Victorian Branch.
As the rain poured down and the wind blew strongly, veterans and their families walked through the mud to make it to the carrier where proceedings were held.
Australian veterans as well as their South Vietnamese counterparts made the trek to the Phillip Island Vietnam Veterans War Museum to commemorate the sacrifices of the South Vietnamese Armed Forces during the Vietnam conflict and to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the arrival of the first Vietnamese boat people in Australia.
Special plaques were unveiled by leaders of the Victorian Vietnamese Veterans Association and the Vietnamese community in Victoria, and the plaques will be permanently placed in the Museum’s Garden of Reflection.
Vietnamese community in Australia president Bon Nguyen thanked the VVA for the opportunity for his people to take part in the day.
“Freedom and democracy for the South Vietnamese ended and many of us were forced to fight or flee,” he said.
“Australia offered us that freedom with open arms 35 years ago.
“Thank you for your warm hearts then and now.”
Pakenham RSL’s Garry Elliott also attended on the day and helped feed the masses.
“It’s a great turnout,” he said.
