This Saturday, 15 August, marks the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, also known as Victory in the Pacific Day (VP Day).
While Victory in Europe was declared in May 1945, fighting in the Pacific region continued until the unconditional surrender of Japan to the Allied Forces in August.
On this day in 1945, the great Labor Prime Minister Ben Chifley announced, “Fellow citizens, the war is over”, sparking scenes of jubilation across the nation like the iconic ‘Dancing Man’ on the street in Sydney.
The Pacific War was the first time a conflict had arrived on our doorstep, with Japan bombing parts of northern Australia like Townsville, Darwin and Broome, and midget submarines attacking ships in Sydney Harbour.
It was in response to this that Chifley’s predecessor, the great wartime leader John Curtin, brought Australian troops back from Europe to fight with Allied Forces in the Pacific and in the key campaigns of Kokoda and Milne Bay in Papua New Guinea.
From a population of just seven million, almost one million Australians served in the war from 1939 to 1945, and 39,000 Australians lost their lives in the conflict, including more than 17,000 defending our nation against Japan.
More than 12,000 veterans are still with us today, so this special anniversary is an opportunity to honour their service and sacrifice, and remember the contribution to the war effort made by all Australians at the time.
This Saturday, I will attend a 75th Anniversary VP Day Commemoration Service to be held at the Ipswich RSL Memorial Gardens and will lay a wreath to acknowledge Second World War veterans in my community.
Australians are also encouraged to participate in the #OneInAMillion: Wall of Respect project by sharing photos and stories of family members and other veterans in their social media posts.
This year, in particular, we celebrate the story of young Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean, who died protecting his mates, and has just been confirmed as our 101st and latest Victoria Cross, and the first for our Navy.
More information about veterans and commemoration activities is available on the Anzac Portal and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs website, and you can follow the Commemorations and War Graves Facebook and Twitter pages.
As a grateful nation, we have a duty to remember this outstanding generation of Australians who served their country, won a tremendous victory and helped shape who we are today.
In these challenging times, as we face a war of a different kind, the example of these brave men and women who sacrificed so much should be an inspiration to us all.
Lest We Forget.
