Fed: Plaques unveiled at National Vietnam Memorial

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2007
Fed: Plaques unveiled at National Vietnam Memorial

CANBERRA, Aug 18 AAP - Plaques to acknowledge the repatriation of the remains of two
Australian soldiers declared missing in action in the Vietnam War, will be unveiled in
Canberra today.

Lance Corporal Richard "Tiny" Parker, 24, and Private Peter Gillson, 20, were killed
on November 8, 1965 during a battle in Dong Nai province, east of Saigon.

They remained unaccounted for until a team of Australian veterans unearthed their remains
in South Vietnam in April.

The remains of the two soldiers were brought back to Australia in June.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Bruce Billson said the plaques complete the at soldiers'
journey home.

"The Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial is a powerful symbol of the service,
and sacrifice of Australia's Vietnam veterans and it is fitting that these soldiers' final
journey home is commemorated here," Mr Billson said.

Today Vietnam Veterans' Day is being commemorated around the country. The date once
marked the Battle of Long Tan which took place in August 1966 but now has been adapted
by all veterans of the war.

AAP sld/arb

KEYWORD: VIETNAM PLAQUES

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