In attendance will be veterans of the 86 Transport Platoon Vietnam, who are in Deniliquin with their partners for this year’s reunion.
The Deniliquin RSL Sub-Branch invites the community to join them and the platoon members in honouring the service and sacrifice of those who served during the Vietnam War.
A service will be held at the Vietnam War Memorial, at the Deniliquin Cenotaph, from 11am.
Following the service, everyone is invited to attend a luncheon at the Deniliquin RSL Club Bistro at 12.30pm.
The two-course meal is $30. You can pay on the day, but bookings to the club on 5881 1455 are preferred for catering purposes.
The 86 Transport Platoon was formed in 1960 as part of Logistic Support in the Royal Australian Army Service Corps.
It would assist in the transportation of anything required in a war effort, from a seaport or air base to the battlefield.
The platoon was first posted to Vietnam in 1966 with a detachment to support the Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment at Bien Hoa, near Saigon, and later to the seaport of Vung Tau in Phuoc Tuy Province.
There, Australia was given primary responsibility for security based at Nui Dat in the centre of the province.
The 86 Transport Platoon remained in that location until the end of Australia’s commitment to the war effort, and was the last remaining platoon to leave.
During the commitment from 1967 to 1972, more than 500 regular army and national serviceman served were part of the platoon.
RSL sub-branch member Barb Goudie said the visit would add to the commemorative activities.
“About 39 of them are coming to join us in Deniliquin,” she said.
“Normally, there are not very many veterans at the service, so it should be quite lovely.”
Later this year, Deniliquin will again host the Riverina Vietnam Veterans Reunion - one of the longest running events of its kind.
Deni hosted the 46th annual event last year, and it was attended by 130 veterans.
While the location normally rotates each year, Deniliquin offered to host when this year’s venue fell through.
Mrs Goudie said the reunion will be held from October 30 to November 1.
Next year’s reunion will be held in Gundagai, Griffith in 2028, Leeton for the 50th anniversary year, and then back to Deniliquin in 2030.
“For that service, people will also be coming from all over Australia,” Mrs Goudie said.
15°C