Vietnam veterans in Dungog gathered at Stroud Cemetary for Vietnam Veteran's Vigil

The group gathered around the grave of Private Edward Anthony Grills at Stroud Cemetery, the only Vietnam veteran buried in the Shire. Vice president of Dungog's RSL Sub-Branch Nick Helyer said that not knowing Mr Grills personally made the experience unique.

"It's very profound. I hope it came across through my address. It speaks volumes in prose and poetry but it's also appropriate. People can read into that what they like," Mr Helyer said.

"It was a great honour to be able to do that. I thought I'd be here by myself today but there's five people here, that's brilliant."

Mr Helyer said that Mr Grills was in the First Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment and that judging by his date of death he was part of the first tour that his regiment did.

Gathering on Thursday, August 3, the group of five people consisted of Dungog RSL Sub-Branch members Brett Farrell, Bob Humphrey and Mr Helyer, as well as two people travelling through Stroud - Mal and Chris - who didn't want their last name published.

The vigil was a part of a national movement marking 60 years since the arrival of the Australian Army Training Team in South Vietnam as well as 50 years since the withdrawal of combat troops in 1972.

This comes before Vietnam Veterans' Day to give people in regional towns an opportunity to remember before the National Commemorative Service that the Australian Government is planning to hold on August 18.

"It's a poignant reminder that 50 years ago the battle of Long Tan occurred and that during the whole campaign 53 Australians died, killed in action," Mr Helyer said.

"Increasingly Vietnam is just a word in a book. Yes there's going to be a big remembrance service which is great but I think this is a fantastic initiative to highlight the fact that 523 graves exist across the country."

Mr Helyer said that this is made all the more important by the fact that many Vietnam veterans were 'shunned' when they returned from their service.

However, this sentiment is changing as time goes on.

"There's four or five of us in Dungog that are Vietnam veterans... For 20 years we were kind of shunned a bit when we came home so this is just an important, small way of remembering those that paid the ultimate sacrifice," he said.

"I do [think that this is changing]. My grandkids ask me what I got my medals for. I'm now at the stage where I'm having to get duplicates made because they actually want to wear those medals on the other side."

Mr Helyer served in the Navy during the Vietnam war for two years, taking troops back and forth.

Check the TV guide for details about the televised national commemorative service on Friday, August 18.