Saturday, August 18 marked Vietnam Veterans Day and Moree RSL sub-branch held a small service at Max Wales Memorial Park to remember those who served, particularly Moree’s Max Wales and Ronald Carroll who lost their lives in battle in Vietnam.

Vietnam Veterans Day is commemorated each year on August 18 – the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, during which 18 Australian men were killed.

“It’s a day that 18 young men lost their lives at the Battle of Long Tan at 5pm on August 18,” Moree RSL sub-branch secretary Michael Hankey said.

“The day is to recognise those young men.”

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One of those men was Private Max Wales, of the sixth Battlaion Royal Australian Regiment, who was killed in action at the Battle of Long Tan on August 18, 1966, aged 22.

The second Moree man to lose his life in Vietnam was Sergeant Ronald Carroll of 3RAR, who was killed in action on August 4, 1968, aged 32.

“We recognised both of those people from Moree who lost their lives,” Mr Hankey said.

A special guest at this year’s service was Coffs Harbour man Len Williams from the Australian Bravery Association who knew Max Wales as a child.

Mr Williams laid a wreath on behalf of the Australian Bravery Association.

Meanwhile Vietnam Veterans Association’s Barry Brown laid a wreath, while Neville Hain read the Prayer for Peace during the service.

Bruce Carter was the Master of Ceremonies.

“He did a very good job after being called up at short notice,” Mr Hankey said.

Mr Hankey also gave a special mention to Lauren Hunt who sung the Australian National Anthem.

“She did a bloody good job,” he said.