Laying wreaths took place before his opening speech to allow dignitaries attending the service to leave early and meet with Australia’s Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove at the Red Cross Centenary celebrations.

Member for the Upper Hunter, George Souris and Federal member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon each laid a wreath in respect to Australian soldiers who served in the conflict.

When Mr McCrone did speak he talked of the Battle of Long Tan and how “it became the icon of the Vietnam War, much the same as Gallipoli and the Kokoda Track Symbolise previous much larger conflicts.”

He noted it has been 48 years since the battle and how much the public’s attitude toward the conflict has changed.

“Vietnam at the time was a deeply unpopular war.  It divided a nation.  It was the last conflict that Australia resorted to conscriptions or national service.  There were large scale demonstrations in the streets. To our national shame, opposition to the war was vented on returning service and women,” he said.

“Some were publically vilified, spat on and called horrific names….there were no coming home parades, no public acknowledgement of a job well done and few support services for those for whom the war did not end when they came home to Australia.”

It was not until October 1987 that Vietnam Veterans were properly recognised with a welcome home parade after years of lobbying and advocacy, Mr McCrone said.

He urged those who today disagree with the deployment of troops to international conflicts not to let this situation ever happen again.

“Talk to the politicians not the serviceman who are only doing what their country has asked of them,” Mr McCrone said.