Sat 15 August 2020 marked 75 years since the end of WWII and Victory in the Pacific (VP Day).
Some one million Australians served in the Second World War and 39,000 who lost their lives, the some 30,000 taken as prisoners of war.
This was a war like no other in history, with Australians fighting in theatres of war across the globe from Europe to North Africa, the Mediterranean and the Middle East, to Asia and the Pacific, and conflict coming to the Australian mainland for the first time.
Remarkably around 12,000 veterans are still with us today. This is one of our last opportunities to say ‘thank you for your service’ to this remarkable generation.
A nationally broadcast commemorative service to mark this occasion was held at the Australian War Memorial – you can view it HERE
The 75th Anniversary Commemorative Service was an opportunity for all Australians to pause, reflect and acknowledge the service and sacrifice of more than and those who made their contribution in service on the home front.
Locally, Ted commemorated the day with the Coolum-Peregian RSL Sub-Branch, where together with Francis (Frank) McGreevy, he unveiled a plaque honouring all who served in WWII and the significance of the war’s end on April 15, 1945, at the Coolum-Peregian cenotaph. Mr McGreevy is the last surviving WWII veteran in the Coolum-Peregian RSL Sub-Branch and Ted presented him with a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration to honour the service and sacrifice of our living Second World War veterans.
Commemorative medallion and certificate
Acknowledging the significance of the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs has produced a Commemorative Medallion and Certificate of Commemoration.
The medallion and certificate is available to every living veteran of the Second World War. Applications can be made online at the DVA website or for those without access to the internet, by phone on 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372).
