Hi everybody.

In Australia, today marks Vietnam Veterans' Day. On this day 56 years ago, soldiers from D Company, 6 RAR (and atts.) were embroiled in combat in the Long Tan rubber plantation. While facing a numerically superior enemy, Delta Coy distinguished itself in this battle and were considered to have been victorious in preventing an enemy advance on Nui Dat and inflicting a large number of casualties upon their NVA/VC opponents.

During this battle 18 diggers lost their lives and 24 were wounded.

On this day though we pause to remember all of our brothers & sisters who served in this conflict, and the abominable way that many were treated upon their return. We also remember the 521 ADF members who lost their lives in South Vietnam and the 2500+ who returned with wounds or scarring to a country that didn't appreciate their service or sacrifice. Lest We Forget!

This is not a new phenomenon..... the current Prime Minister of Australia dumped the Veterans' Affairs/Defence Personnel portfolio from his cabinet and (in adding insult to injury) has yet to comment publicly - or issue any message of support to veterans - in the wake of the interim report of the Royal Commission into Defence/Veteran Suicides.

We can all pay our respects and support veterans by (i) reaching out to vets we know, (ii) starting conversations about veteran welfare and (iii) sharing the petition at change.org/voiceforveterans

Thanks for your support & many blessings to you and yours. Neil