Help TCB RSL Commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day
President Don Holland enjoying a well-earned drink on a previous Vietnam Veteran’s Day with members of the Eureka Mob of Vietnam Veterans
Planning is well underway for the Vietnam Veterans’ Day commemorations in Tin Can Bay to be held on 18 August. We commemorate Vietnam Veterans’ Day on the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in 1966.
We remember the sacrifices of those who died and say thank you to almost 60,000 Australians who served during the 10 years of our involvement in the Vietnam War.
Vietnam Veterans’ Day will commence with a service at 11am at Anzac Memorial Park, Tin Can Bay. Everyone is then welcome to adjourn to the Tin Can Bay RSL sub-branch for refreshments after the service.
I was doing some research on Vietnam Veterans’ Day last week when a post popped up on my Facebook feed. It described the service of Roy ‘Zeke’ Mundine OAM, a proud Bundjalung man who served in the Australian Army for 36 years. His service included a posting to Malaya in 1959 and two tours of South Vietnam in 1966 and 1969.
Roy was Mentioned in Dispatches for his actions in Vietnam on 25 April 1969 as Section Commander of 1 Platoon, A Company. While investigating an enemy bunker Corporal Mundine tripped a mine, which blew his right leg off. He continued instructing his diggers for over 40 minutes while wounded and refused treatment until the Sappers cleared the minefield.
I served with Zeke Mundine in the 49th Battalion for my 9 years with the Bushman’s Rifles. At that stage he was a Warrant Officer in charge of the Battalion Q store. I recall him as a great soldier and a good bloke with a limp who always had kind words of advice, especially for the new young soldiers who had recently joined the Battalion.
Roy retired from the Army in 1995. On 18 April 2016, Uncle Roy was appointed the Australian Army’s first indigenous Australian Elder. I’m proud to have known Zeke and can only say – Thank you for your Service!
Ross Carruthers
