Elvis dies 16 August – Long Tan 18 August.

Somehow the two things are linked and not just by the calendar.

Elvis died of indulgence as a consequence of becoming very, very wealthy and extremely famous.

Long Tan is prima facie about determination and loyalty, but Australians were really in Viet Nam to prop-up the interests of wealthy business men.

These two things seem significant to me.

I am a big fan of the early Elvis (before he hunka-hunka prostituted his talent).

Long Tan wraps up the Australian and New Zealand perspective of the whole Viet Nam thing.

Maybe it is something to do with my generation?