Father Michael O’Brien from St John’s Anglican Church, officiated at the service, and spoke about the horrors of war and how sometimes, a man must stand and fight.

North West Vietnam Veterans’ Social Group president Fred Venema said Father O’Brien’s speech was one that moved many.

“Although the ceremony was brief, lasting only 30 minutes, it was extremely meaningful and meant much to those present,” Mr Venema said.

Wreaths were laid by several participants including the National Service Association, Tamworth RSL sub-branch, Tamworth City Council and NSW Police.

Mrs Lyn Sharp, mother of the late Lieutenant Gordon Sharp, the only Tamworth soldier to die at Long Tan, laid a wreath in her son’s memory.

Others in attendance included Tamworth mayor Warren Woodley and his wife Lorraine, Tamworth MP Tony Windsor and his wife Lyn, and Sergeant John Davis from Oxley Local Area Command.

While Tamworth paused to remember Long Tan, Lieutenant Colonel John Pritchard (ret) led a group of Vietnam veterans, some of those from Tamworth, in a moving ceremony at the actual site of the Long Tan cross.

Tamworth RSL sub-branch president Gregg Dickson said Lieut-Col Pritchard paid particular attention to those who had suffered in the Vietnam war, including those from the north.

“Each member laid a rose to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and poppies were attached to the fence surrounding the cross,” Mr Dickson said in an email from Vietnam.

Mr Dickson will return to Tamworth on Thursday, having spent a week in Vietnam with his son.