FRIDAY marked Vietnam Veterans’ Day, a key commemoration in this 50th anniversary year of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Each year Vietnam Veterans’ Day is commemorated on August 18 to mark the end of the Battle of Long Tan which was the single greatest loss of life Australia suffered during the Vietnam War - 18 Australians were killed and 24 were wounded.

Hamilton RSL commemorated the anniversary with an 11am service at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial on Lonsdale Street, to thank the 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War. A total of 523 Australians died as a result of the war and over 3000 were wounded.