This year marks 60 years since the arrival of Australian troops in Vietnam and 50 years since the withdrawal of combat troops in 1972.
A national commemoration will be held on 18 August at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra.
However, travelling to attend this ceremony is a challenging prospect for many veterans and their loved ones.
The Vietnam Veterans Vigil (VVV), a commemorative program initiated by veterans, provides surviving Vietnam Veterans and other Australians with the opportunity to participate in meaningful, individualised ceremonies across Australia.
One of these ceremonies was held at Fawkner Memorial Park on Thursday 3 August.
This date marks the anniversary of the day the Australian Army Training team arrived in South Vietnam in 1962.
The ceremony commemorated the lives and honoured the sacrifices of 13 soldiers who were Killed in Action in the Vietnam War and now rest at Fawkner Memorial Park.
All of the 13 veterans honoured on the day died young, making their sacrifice all the greater. As Michael Pianta, Coburg RSL President and MC of the vigil, reflected, “Age has not wearied them at all.”
Attendees, including veterans, current serving personnel, students and teachers from local schools and a local political representative, gathered near the Carl Verey Cross.
During the ceremony, 13 wreaths were laid at the remembrance memorial at the base of the cross to honour the 13 men who lost their lives in the war.
In the image above, Michael Pianta and GMCT's Jessica Ferrari lay a wreath at the base of the cross.
Kevin Ronald Wilson
After the conclusion of this event, a special commemorative service was held at the grave of one of these 13 veterans, Kevin Ronald Wilson.
As well as attendees from the previous event, the service was attended by veterans who served alongside Wilson, and members of his family, some of whom travelled from as far as Queensland.
Wilson was Killed in Action during a village cordon and search on 15 February 1968, aged 22.
Some of those with him on that day were in attendance on the day of the service. Many of his army mates had not been able to give him a proper farewell since his death, making this service a profoundly solemn occasion.
Remembered as a fun-loving but fine and disciplined soldier, Wilson was a popular member of Bravo Company, of the Second Royal Australian Regiment.
In his address, Geoffrey Brewer, also a veteran of Bravo Company, underscored the gravity of the day’s service.
“Today is our chance to honour him with the dignity and solemnity that he deserved.”
Further information
Learn more about Vietnam Veterans Vigil Australia here.
Photo taken by Sarah Bell.