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Lloyd dedicates Vietnam memorial
Member for Robertson Mr Jim Lloyd officially dedicated the new Vietnam Veterans Memorial at the Esplanade, Ettalong Beach, on Saturday, August 17, at 4pm.
The ceremony took place on the waterfront opposite Ettalong Beach Memorial Club.
"This is a very significant day for local Vietnam veterans and the memorial was made possible with a grant of $759 from the Federal Government," Mr Lloyd said.
"It is appropriate that this memorial is dedicated on the weekend of the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, Sunday, August 18," Mr Lloyd said.
Vietnam Veterans Day was an opportunity for all Australians to pay tribute to those young Australians who served with distinction in Vietnam, especially the 520 Australians who made the ultimate sacrifice.
"Those Australians who served in Vietnam did so with pride and professionalism in a very important and challenging time in our social and military history," Mr Lloyd said.
The ceremony was attended by a large contingent of Vietnam veterans many wearing their campaign medals, as well as Member for Peats Ms Marie Andrews and officials from the Gosford City Sub-Branch of the Vietnam Veterans' Federation, family and friends.
The veterans marched from their office to the Ettalong waterfront near the memorial where they were met by a catafalque party made up of soldiers from B Coy (Erina Depot) 2/17 Royal NSW Regiment.
Appropriate music for the occasion was provided by the Gosford City Brass Band, including a bugler playing "The Last Post".
President of the Vietnam Veterans' Federation Gosford City Sub-Branch, Mr P Bright, acted as master of ceremonies and reminded all present of the circumstances surrounding Australia's involvement in the war in South Vietnam.
He told those assembled that Australia's 10-year involvement in the Vietnam War made it Australia's longest involvement in an overseas conflict.
"In total, over 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam of which 18,000 were conscripts", he said.
"Of 840, 000 registered for conscription, 63,000 were called up.
"By comparison, the USA sent over two million troops and lost more than our entire force.
"Australian troops operated in a different manner to their US allies.
"US troops moved in large numbers and blasted their way through, where Australian troops worked in smaller numbers and patrolled using stealth and precision.
"Australian troops spent longer periods in constant danger with an average of 314 days in the bush every year.
"This led to ongoing stress problems which have had a lasting effect."
He said that the Vietnam war resulted in three times more amputations than World War 2 and "503 servicemen and women lost their lives and over 2000 were wounded".
"Since 1987, 15 years after the war ended, over 3000 people have died of war related injuries," he said.
The Reverend Father Max Sainsbury officiated and wreaths were laid as part of the act of remembrance.
The Federation thanked The Department of Veterans' Affairs, Palmdale Memorial Park, Gosford Quarries, W R Dixon & Co and Ocean View Printing for their donations.
Cec Bucello and press release, August 16