LAST Sunday, the Northam sub-branch of the RSL hosted the Vietnam Veterans Day commemoration service.
The warm morning was perfect for the small but dedicated crowd assembled at the Northam War Memorial for the 11am service.
The service is held to remember the 521 Australians listed on the Roll of Honour for the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1975.
Also remembered are all those 60,000 Australian men and women who served and the over 3000 who were wounded.
Northam RSL president, Donna Prytulak welcomed those attending and spoke of the Armoured Corp experience in Vietnam.
Treasurer, Mr Geoff Scarter field, formerly of 2 Battalion RAR, delivered the main address, speaking about the Long Tan battle as well as Vietnamese attacks on Fire Support Bases at Coral and Balmoral.
Mr Russell Couper, formerly of Headquarters, 1st Australian Task Force, read a prayer of Remem brance.
Wreaths were laid at the memorial by the Northam RSL, and Red poppies were placed by veterans and members of the public.
Geoff Scarterfield placed a wreath dedicated to the memory of his Platoon Sergeant Tom Birnie who was killed in action on March 24, 1971.
Birnie was 10 months into his second tour of Vietnam.
The Last Post was played and Sub Branch Warden Jim Donovan read the Ode of Remembrance prior to a period of silence.
The silence was broken by the playing of the Rous, after which the Australian National Anthem was sung by those present.
Members and guests gathered after the service and drank a toast to the memory of those who died and were wounded on service in Vietnam before adjourning to a local establishment for lunch.
