From Batemans Bay alone, 18 men were killed and 25 wounded in the Battle of Long Tan - one of the most intense battles undertaken by the Australian Armed Forces during the Vietnam war.

Eurobodalla Vietnam Veterans’ Tony Herbert says, although the years roll on by, the memory never fades.

“It’s more moving as time goes on,” he said. “And it’s becoming bigger - people are becoming more aware of it and commemorating it more.”

Referring to the backlash soldiers received upon their arrival home, Mr Herbert said attitudes had changed.

“The acceptance wasn’t there in the

earlier days,” he said.

“It’s been happening over many years but particularly since the post-welcome home parade, the acceptance has grown.”

Member for Gilmore Joanna Gash touched on this sensitive subject when she said that Australia should pause to reflect on the sacrifice made by servicemen and women over the years.

“On days like these we should pause to reflect and to honour those who helped deliver the freedoms we enjoy today,” she said.

“Everyone who served in the Vietnam war should be proud of what they did for their country and we, as a nation, say thank you.”

This “thank you” is important to Mr Herbert. For him, and men and women like him, the years don’t diminish the memories.

“Days like this give us an opportunity to remember not only those that were killed in Vietnam,” he said, “but all the battles before and since.

“We’re still in Iraq and Afghanistan. Soldiers are still offering up the ultimate sacrifice.”

Mr Herbert would like to see an end to armed conflict but says, as long as there are people who wish to assert their way of life by force, there will be

conflict.

“We must be vigilant,” he said. “There must always be an armed force to protect our children the way our forefathers who served in World War I and II protected us.”

And, more than anything, days like this are an opportunity for Mr Herbert to catch up with his mates.

“It makes you very proud to see your fellow veterans on parade,” he said. “It allows us to get together and talk about the old times.”

After the ceremony, more than 120 of Mr Herbert’s “mates” gathered for an after ceremony luncheon at the Mariner’s on the Waterfront Hotel.