News & Media

SERVICES to remember two Sunraysia soldiers who were killed in the Vietnam War will be held concurrently on Thursday, August 3.

They are part of a nationwide effort to hold coinciding vigils for fallen Vietnam War soldiers at every grave or commemorative plaque site at 11am.

The Mildura RSL will host a vigil at the graveside of Ramon John Peter Deed at the Nichols Point Cemetery, while the Merbein RSL will hold one at the graveside of Noel Charles Pettitt at the Merbein cemetery.

August 3 will mark the 60th anniversary of the first Australian soldiers to arrive Vietnam, and the 50th anniversary of the last soldiers to leave.

Mildura RSL’s manager of veterans’ services Paul Mensch said the synchronised ceremonies will be something quite special.

“It’s quite a poignant thing to have it synchronised and happen throughout the country at the same time,” he said.

Deed, 21, died of injuries in South Vietnam on May 10, 1967, from wounds received during mine laying operations the previous day.

Pettitt, also 21, died of injuries in South Vietnam on November 27, 1967.

Merbein RSL president Brian Munro said the pair were among 523 Australian soldiers who never came home.

“He (Pettitt) was only 21 when he got killed over there, so he didn’t get much of a chance for it,” he said.

Mr Mensch said the commemoration effort comes ahead of Vietnam Veterans Day on August 18, where a service will be held at Mildura’s Seventh Street Memorial at 12.30pm.

“The guys who served in Vietnam weren’t treated that well when they got home,” he said. “It’s nice to see that they are getting the recognition they deserve, albeit a long time overdue.”

Article written by: Wade Stephens

Article provided by The Sunraysia Daily
https://www.sunraysiadaily.com.au