The commemoration of the Battle of Long Tan

Image above: Commemoration ceremony and dedication of memorial cross on the site of the Battle of Long Tan. Hi all The following media release from the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) should be of great interest to us regarding the 50th Anniversary of Long Tan this Thursday. As you know this is part of our tour and it would be great if you had some detailed background on the event and the commemoration activities.  I recommend that you listen and/or watch some of these happenings on the ABC. Cendall is actually there this week as the teacher chaperoning the Simpson Prize students in Vietnam and Samuel is in Canberra experiencing the commemoration events as part of the the Simpson Prize.  Thanks to Tim Hanna for passing on this media release information. ABC marks 50th Anniversary of Long Tan

Thursday August 18 marks the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam and Vietnam Veterans' Day. To commemorate, the ABC will have special coverage from Canberra and Vietnam across the day on television, radio, mobile, social and online. Television ABC News Breakfast 6.00-9.00am on ABC & iview / 6.00-9.00am AEST on ABC News 24 Michael Rowland will co-host News Breakfast from the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. ABC News Special 9.30am on ABC & iview / 9.30am AEST on ABC News 24 Long Tan Preview hosted by Michael Rowland, ahead of the Commemorative Service at the Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade. Australian Story: What a Wonderful World – airs Monday August 22 at 8pm on ABC & iview Vietnam Veteran's Day Service 10.00am on ABC & iview / 10.00am AEST on ABC News 24 On Vietnam Veterans’ Day, a special Commemorative Service from the Australian War Memorial to mark 50 years since the Battle of Long Tan. For Australians, it was the Vietnam War’s most costly battle and most famous victory. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and the Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrave are expected to attend. ABC News will cross LIVE to Southeast Asia correspondent Liam Cochrane, filing from Long Tan across the day and night. Radio Radio National Throughout the week, Radio National programs including Life Matters, The Inside Sleeve, Earshot and Conversations with Richard Fidler http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/conversations/ will feature content focused around the Long Tan Anniversary. ABC Local Radio ABC Local and Regional Radio networks will highlight the stories of veterans from around the country, discussing their experiences of the battle, and looking at the long-term impact of their engagement at Long Tan. An extensive selection of Vietnam war-era music will support spoken content on all ABC Radio networks, and ABC Regional coverage will include a range of stories looking at the impact of the war on regional towns. Online and mobile ABC News Digital will deliver coverage across the day at abc.net.au/news as well as on the ABC app, Facebook and Twitter. International Coverage will include a digital piece, focusing on explaining the significance of Long Tan to international audiences and will also look at the impact of the war on South Vietnam and Vietnamese migrants in Australia. Videos https://tv.press.abc.net.au/abc-marks-50th-anniversary-of-long-tan#video20989 https://tv.press.abc.net.au/abc-marks-50th-anniversary-of-long-tan#image296983