WA: Vietnam vets to lead marches in Perth

AAP General News (Australia)
04-24-2006
WA: Vietnam vets to lead marches in Perth

PERTH, April 24 AAP - Vietnam veterans will lead tomorrow's Anzac Day marches for the
first time in Western Australia.

The Returned and Services League (RSL) wants to use this year's commemorations to recognise
the 40th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966.

Traditionally, Vietnam veterans hold a separate service for their members in August,
closer to the Long Tan battle date, but the RSL says this year is special for them.

"It's one of the most significant battles that the Australian soldiers participated
in, in the 10 year period they were in Vietnam," RSL WA Branch President Shane Seers said
today.

It was also the first major battle for Australian taskforce deployed to Vietnam, said
Vietnam Veterans Association national president Geoff Trevor-Hunt.

"'Cause we only got there in May-June 1966 and VC and the North Vietnamese decided
they were going to come and teach us a lesson," Mr Hunt said.

"They lost."

He said he wanted to encourage as many Vietnam veterans as possible to take part.

"This is their chance to show... their pride in what they did," Mr Hunt said today.

The last service on the Australian mainland will be a sunset memorial in Perth at Anzac
cottage, said to be the oldest memorial in Australia.

It was built in 1916 by members of the Mount Hawthorn Progress Association.

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KEYWORD: ANZAC WA PREVIEW

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