Details confirmed for 50th Vietnam War anniversary

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

NEW Zealand veterans of the Vietnam War are welcome to attend commemorations in Wellington and register to go into a ballot to attend a similar event in Canberra — with both events on August 18 to mark the 50th anniversary of the war.

August 18 is Vietnam Veterans’ Day and the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

In Wellington a full commemorative service will be held at Michael Fowler Centre, preceded by a short wreath-laying ceremony at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park.

Email commemorations@nzdf.mil.nz to register your (and accompanying people) interest in attending the Michael Fowler Centre service.

All Vietnam veterans, their families, and the public are welcome to attend. Transport is not provided as part of registration.

Attendance at the wreath-laying ceremony will be by invitation, although the public are invited to observe.

Registrations for the New Zealand veteran ballot to attend commemorations in Canberra are now open. There will be two categories — a general category for 30 Vietnam veterans with qualifying service, and a category for five veterans of 161 Battery who were posted or attached to 161 Battery on August 18, 1966 and served at the gun line during the Battle of Long Tan.

This category recognises the significance of the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and 161 Battery’s involvement.

Veterans can only enter one of the categories, and must mark their choice clearly on their registration form.

New Zealand Vietnam veterans wishing to travel to Canberra must fill in and post the paper registration form.

A registration form can be requested by emailing commemorations@nzdf.mil.nz.

More information can be found on the Veterans’ Affairs website, veteransaffairs.mil.nz

Registrations close on Friday.