A MOVING ceremony was held at Victoria Park on Tuesday morning as returned servicemen, women and community members gathered to pay their respects on Vietnam Veterans' Day.
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In beautiful surrounds, a fitting tribute was made to those who fought in the Vietnam War, which more than 60,000 Australian servicemen and women were deployed to between 1962 and 1975, with 521 killed in service.
While many were left behind, many of those who survived endured great hardship during the war, and returned home with both physical and emotional scars.
Vietnam Veterans' Association Far West president Bert Eade fought in the war in 1968 and 1970, is proud of his service every day of the year, but particularly on Vietnam Veterans' Day.
"It is a very important day and also ties in with Long Tan Day which was probably the biggest battle of Vietnam," he said.
"We remember our mates of course, those years were the formative years and we were in the prime of our lives.
"We were carrying the candle after our dads, granddads and family had served in the second and first world wars."
While many servicemen and women that returned from Vietnam did so with many physical and emotional issues, Mr Eade spoke positively of the impact it had on him.
"In retrospect it would have been good to avoid it if possible but for some of us, we were better people for it," he said.
"It made some people, and unfortunately it broke some people.
"But I am always proud to have served and everyone should be proud of those that served.
"That is why we are turning out here today (Tuesday)."
Mr Eade, who has been Vietnam Veterans' Association Far West president for eight years, has lived in Dubbo for the past 14 years, and after 20 odd years in the army, worked as a rural contractor, and is now retired.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Senator the Honourable Michael Ronaldson revealed a major national commemorative service marking the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan would take place in August 2016 at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.
"Planning is also underway, in consultation with the Vietnamese Government, for a small veterans' mission to travel to Vietnam in August 2016," he said.
"To assist local communities in honouring the service of our Vietnam veterans, a special one-off funding round will be built into the 2015-16 Saluting their Service grants programme.
"The program will award grants of between $4,000 and $20,000 for initiatives such as commemorative events and reunions."
