A LARGE crowd, including Victoria Cross recipient Keith Payne, gathered in Coolangatta yesterday to mark Vietnam Veterans' Day and the 45th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan.

Strong winds did not quell the spirits of the 140 people who gathered in the Vietnam Memorial Garden at the Kirra Sports Club for the hour-long service.

With rows of medals pinned on chests and cold beers in hand, they remembered Australia's longest involvement in any war, from 1962-75.

Mr Payne said he was happy to travel from Mackay to participate in the ceremony.

“I've got to spread myself around a bit,” Mr Payne said.

“(It's good to) bump into the blokes I haven't seen for a few years.”

Mr Payne said he thought the memorial garden was a fitting tribute for the veterans.

“I thought it was great ... it's nice for them to have something.”

He said the public perception of Vietnam veterans had improved.

“When we first came back we couldn't walk out in the streets in our uniforms,” he said.

Currumbin RSL Sub-Branch president Ron Workman spoke at the service, paying tribute to the Australians who served in Vietnam.

“We remember the lost and, with absolute sincerity, we remember the living,” Mr Workman said.

Although the war officially ended in 1965, Mr Workman said it was not over for those who served.

“Vietnam will never be over; the injuries, the nightmares, the illnesses, the memories,” he said.

Wreaths were laid in front of a slouch hat on a rock known as The Diggers' Rest.

Among those who paid their respect was Footsloggers member Terry Lucas, of Clear Island Waters.

Mr Lucas said laying the wreath was an emotional moment for him and others in the Burleigh-based Footsloggers.

“Most of them would have lost somebody,” he said.

“I think about a couple of mates who are not here.”

George McCabe, of Tweed Heads, who served in the Melbourne 29th/46th battalion, had tears in his eyes when he responded about how he felt in two words.

“Very sad,” he said.

Mr McCabe said he came to Tweed Heads for Vietnam Veterans' Day every year and would be back next year to pay his respects.

And Mr Payne said he would continue to pay his respects, even though he joked about his medals weighing him down.

“They do get heavy,” he said.

“I don't know how I'm going to go when I get older.”