AN intimate and special service to honour the men and women who served in the Vietnam War was held in Port Macquarie on August 18.
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About 50 ex-service personnel and their families gathered at the war memorial at 11am to pay their respects to the lives lost and life-long battles that many continue to fight as a result of their participation in the conflict.
The Battle of Long Tan, on 18 August 1966, was one of the fiercest battles fought by Australian soldiers in the Vietnam War, involving 105 Australians and three New Zealanders from D Company 6RAR.
The commemorative address was delivered by Tahli Enfield of Hastings Secondary College’s Port Macquarie campus.
Ms Enfield highlighted the important role today’s youth play in recognising the sacrifices of those who came before them and the challenges still faced by ex-servicemen and women who struggle day to day to cope with the emotional scars of war.
RSL sub-Branch president Greg Laird welcomed special guests mayor Peta Pinson, Member for Port Macquarie Leslie Williams and member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker.
He congratulated Ms Enfield on her speech and praised Hastings youth for embracing the history of Australia’s participation on the battlefields and using that knowledge to forge a path one step closer to peace.