Recognising our Vietnam War Veterans

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ----Today a national commemorative service to acknowledge the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War is being held from 10:00 am at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade in Canberra.

Image credit: Virtual War Memorial

This service is an opportunity for Australians to thank our Vietnam veterans for their service, and remember those who did not return.

To learn more about this event, click here to watch a YouTube video by Sir Peter Cosgrove inviting you to join in this commemorative event.

Additional information from the DVA site indicates that:

"The Department of Veterans’ Affairs will deliver a televised service today to mark the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade.

The service will be broadcast live across Australia by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and streamed online. The ABC will also make the broadcast available to other networks to provide all members of the community the opportunity to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War in a solemn and dignified manner from their home.

DVA develops a range of commemorative and educational materials to further help recognise and remember those who served in the Vietnam War. To learn more about Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, and access these materials, visit their Anzac Portal."

ANZAC Day 2023 - An Enormous Success

---- We open most Fridays from 5 pm. Everyone is welcome ----

ANZAC Day at Tanunda was another enormous success.

Outside the Hut

An estimated 1,500-2,000 people attended Tanunda RSL's commemorative dawn service at the Tanunda Memorial Gardens yesterday. Both President, Trevor Klose and member Patsy Biscoe, who had provided entertainment to troops during the Vietnam war, reminded us that this year is the 50th Anniversary of the Australian engagement in South Vietnam. 

The Australian Government plans a commemorative year of dedicated events for this anniversary.

Serving Army chaplain Father Mark Sexton led the commemorative services as he has for many years.

More than 165 people joined us at our Hut after the service for a Gunfire Breakfast we provided with the support of the Barossa Valley Rotary Club volunteers who did an excellent job yet again preparing and distributing food and refreshments.

As we marched along Murray Street to the Soldiers' Memorial Hall in Basedow Road, hundreds of people lined the street to watch and acknowledge us by clapping. It's very encouraging to see so many people turn out for ANZAC Day here, and across Australia.

Some people return every ANZAC and Remembrance Day, we remember their faces; some visit our Friday evening happy hours, and others were visitors to the Barossa Valley who took time to join us. Visitors like Lyndie and Gordon Minett from Rosewood, Queensland. Whoever they are, we are always happy to welcome them to our small club.

Lyndie and Gordon Minett

Behind the scenes, a lot of organization goes into organizing our commemorative days. Our Tanunda RSL management committee volunteers work for several months planning, ordering memorabilia, and liaising with all of those involved to ensure things run smoothly on the day.

We appreciate very much all those who help us organize, plan and run our commemorative days. There are too many to list here, but they know who they are, and they know they are appreciated.

A couple of additional photos of the occasion are shown below.