A Riverland commemoration involving former servicemen from three different countries provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges of the Vietnam War.

More than 100 people gathered at the Berri Riverland Vietnam Veterans and Post WW2 Memorial last Saturday for the ‘Brothers-in-Arms’ commemoration of the Vietnam War’s conclusion, hosted by the Riverland Vietnam Veterans Association.

Organiser and MC for the event, Loveday man and Vietnam veteran, David Langdon said positive spirits were high for the ceremony. “The Brothers in Arms Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War was a truly unique event that brought together Vietnam War veterans from all allied defence force service branches – Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines – from all three countries – Australia, America, and Vietnam – under the three national flags and three national anthems,” Mr Langdon said.

“Moreover, among the 120 attendees, there were veterans who had served with American and Australian forces in other conflicts including in Korea, Middle East, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and peacekeeping operations to East Timor.”

American Vietnam veterans who spoke at the event included American Ex-Servicemen’s Association president Warren Sapir, vice president Barry McDaniel, and Bill Burrell, who saw three tours in the Tonkin Gulf aboard the USS Goldsborough guided missile destroyer, between 1970 and 1974.

Army Cadets from both Berri and Waikerie units supported the ceremony with a catafalque party.

Mr Langdon said speeches from Vietnamese representatives, Republic of Vietnam Veterans Association president Dang-Tao Nguyen, and Vietnamese Community in Australia SA president Quin Tran, were also personal highlights of the commemoration.

“It was particularly moving to hear from our honoured Republic of Vietnam veterans of the war and also from Vietnamese migrants and next-generation families who had escaped the communist takeover of Vietnam and found refuge and new lives in the freedom offered by Australia,” he said.

“Their stories are too often missing from our remembrance ceremonies and so this occasion was special in many ways.

“The commemoration of the end of the Vietnam War is especially meaningful to Vietnamese people of the former Republic of Vietnam, and their descendants here in Australia, as it is also to any of the allied service personnel and the democratic nations that share responsibility for defending our freedoms.”

Represenatives of the veterans groups, and Berri Barmera Mayor Ella Winnall, were among attendees of a boat cruise along the Murray River following the ceremony.

Ms Winnall, who provided a speech at the commemoration, said “the Riverland Vietnam Veterans Association remains an active and vibrant group within our community”.

“While today has many layers to its significance, (it) is only possible because of them. We wouldn’t be here without their ongoing committment to each other, to our community and to honouring their history,” Ms Winnall said.

“While today we have the opportunity to come together to recognise the bonds between allies, nations and our veterans, we must also take time to reflect on those who didn’t make it home.

“We pay our respects to those that made the ultimate sacrifice and honour their memory with gratitude and respect.”

Further photos from the event will feature in next week’s edition of The Murray Pioneer.

This article appeared in Murray Pioneer, 2 April 2025.
Related story: Brothers in Arms Commemoration, 29 March 2025.