Dear Editor,
It was an honour and a privilege to be invited to unveil the Charlton RSL Sub-Branch Silhouette’s Project and to deliver an address on Vietnam Veterans Day.
I was thrilled to contribute to this wonderful project, but it was the stories behind the silhouettes that truly resonated with me. One particularly poignant story is that of the AIRMAN, who represents President Allan McGillivray’s nephew, Judd.
Judd is currently serving in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in Darwin. I had the pleasure of speaking with Judd’s parents, who shared that all their children are proudly serving in our defence forces—three in the RAAF, and one, the “black sheep,” in the Royal Australian Navy. This commitment to service runs deep in their family, following in the footsteps of their father, Neil, who served in the RAAF from 1979.
On this day, we also commemorated Vietnam Veterans Day, marking the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. On 18th August 1966, in a rubber plantation near the village of Long Tan, Australian soldiers faced one of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War. The men of Delta Company, 6th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, stood their ground against a force of approximately 2,000 North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops.
The battle was fought in wet and muddy conditions during a heavy tropical downpour. By the end of that day, 17 Australians had been killed in action, and 25 were wounded, one of whom later succumbed to his injuries. This was the largest number of casualties in a single operation since the Australian Task Force had established its base nearby in April of that year.
Today, we once again recognise and express our gratitude to those who defended democracy and freedom. Their courage and sacrifice continue to inspire us all.
Preserving the history of our servicemen and women is a cause I am incredibly passionate about, which is why I jump at the chance to assist in such meaningful projects. Thank you for having my family and I and thank you to all who have served and continue to serve our country in the name of freedom and democracy.
