On 15 August we will pause to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Victory in Pacific Day, ending a war that cost millions of lives across the world.
More than one million Australian men and women fought to protect our country and our allies, fighting in theatres of war from Europe to North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, to Asia and the Pacific, with the conflict also reaching Australian shores.
As we approach this anniversary, we recognise that it will be one of the last opportunities we have as a nation to publicly acknowledge the remaining veterans of the Second World War, of which there are around 12,000 still with us.
Australia can never fully repay the debt we owe these amazing men and women but, to mark their service, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is producing a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration for the remaining living veterans of the Second World War.
The Australian made medallion will be presented in a display case and is a small memento for our veterans. This is but a small gesture of appreciation from a grateful nation that we extend to those veterans who fought to protect our way of life in the terrible conflict that ended 75 years ago.
I invite eligible veterans to apply, or their families on their behalf, either online at www.dva.gov.au/medallion or, for those without internet access, by phone on 02 61918217 during business hours. Medallions will be distributed during August.
Thank you for your service.
Lest we forget.
Darren Chester
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister for Defence Personnel
