There has never been a day quite like it in Tongala.

But that’s because there’s never been 69 tonnes of frontline Abrams M1A2 armoured power rumbling down Mangan St as part of the annual Service of Commemoration for the Fallen at the town’s National War Memorial for Cavalry for Vietnam.

Its massive 120mm gun, with a range of as much as 12km, was leading the way.

It was followed by a large contingent from B-Squadron of the 3rd/4th Cavalry Regiment, led by its commanding officer Major Jordynne Winsor.

Memorial co-ordinator Michael Thomson said while the army had always been supportive of the service, to have such a big turnout of troops and the massive tank was something special.

Once word about the tank spread, people started coming from near and far to get up close and personal to the armoured monster.

The 3rd Cavalry Regiment Association’s Dallas Burrage agreed having the Abrams was an unexpected opportunity after the original vehicle was withdrawn when its fleet was stood down following a fatal accident in Townsville last week involving an ADF vehicle.

“But perhaps the most exciting thing about this year, and increasingly every year, is the growing involvement of local schoolchildren in our service,” Mr Burrage said.

“With all our Vietnam veterans getting older — they are all into their late 70s and older — it will be these children who will carry the torch for us and we appreciate that involvement so much.

“They have been with us all along. Even through COVID-19 when we couldn’t come, the students made sure the service continued and sent us videos. It was so touching and so deeply welcomed.

“This year we had 54 people for the lunch at the Tongala Hotel, plus the large group from Puckapunyal, and that was also a good turnout considering we had also held a reunion in May.”

Mr Burrage said when they formed the association in 1992, he and the other organisers were adamant it involve the local schools.

He said the Tongala memorial was now an integral part of the community and the whole concept was being embraced by the years of primary school students who had already been involved.

“We’ve never had any problems there, and I believe that reflects what the service and the legacy now also means to a lot of people here, not just the veterans,” Mr Burrage said.

“Now we are also being encouraged by the military itself, they suddenly seem to be getting very interested, and we hope to expand both that connection and our school program.”

Most of this year’s service was conducted by Tongala students and the Kyabram P-12 College drum group marched with the troops from B-Squadron.

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Sunday, 9th January 2028

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