The Catafalque Party at the 2019 Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Day Commemoration at Springwood War Memorial.
One of the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans & Associated Forces Inc. signature events is their Memorial Day.
Over time, this event has involved the participation of a most significant line-up of respected Australian Service and Public identities.
2019 Memorial Day Guest of Honour
Brigadier Phillip Bridie
From the Blue Mountains Gazette
Australia’s Vietnam War veterans “blazed the trail” for how our nation understands military service, Springwood’s annual memorial day held on Sunday (August 11).
“The trauma of the Vietnam War had ripped the social fabric of our country and those who served not only bore their own wounds but also bore the collective wounds of the nation’s trauma,” he said.
But Brigadier Bridie said the Australian people “have learnt from this bitter experience”, with the 1987 Welcome Home Parade for Vietnam Veterans marking a turning point.
He said his own experience returning home from service in Afghanistan was vastly different. The 2015 homecoming parade for Operation Slipper – Australia’s military contribution to the war against terrorism across Afghanistan and the Middle East – was held only months after the operation’s close.
“The streets were lined with enthusiastic and supportive Australians of all backgrounds,” said Brigadier Bridie. “So I thank our Vietnam veterans, on behalf of all veterans since, for blazing the trail by developing in the Australian people a better understanding of our service.”
The Memorial Day event is held in the village of Springwood NSW. Each year, the Blue Mountains Vietnam Veterans and Associated Forces conducts the largest single club annual parade and Memorial Service for Vietnam Veterans in Australia, Memorial Day occurs on the Sunday closest to the Federally recognised Vietnam Veterans’ Day, which is held annually on 18 August (Long Tan Day).