SPIRIT of Anzac tour participant Michael Dunlop of Drouin said the trip was an emotional experience.
Michael was a member of a 10-student team selected from throughout Victoria.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith was one of two chaperones for the trip.
Michael said students were asked to write an essay on their thoughts about the Vietnam War.
“I was lucky enough to get to the short listing and then I was selected as one of the 10 to go,” he said.
“We had seven girls and three boys, and two Vietnam veterans.
“We were given a special project each and mine was to find someone who had served in the Second World War and to find his grave.”
Michael said the highlight of the trip for him was going to Vietnam visiting Long Tan and Nui Dat.
“This was an emotional experience, particularly for our two veterans, but having them with us made the trip all the more rewarding,” he said.
“We called at an orphanage built by returned diggers.
“The trip made me realise what our soldiers have done.”
“I was also able to see Hiroshima, where my grandfather had been during the war.”
