2023 is a significant year for Australia’s annual ANZAC Day commemorations.

It is the 70th anniversary of the armistice which ended the Korean War, the 50th Anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War, and the second anniversary since the Australian Armed forces withdrew from Afghanistan.

On 27 July 1953 an armistice was signed to end the fighting in Korea.

Almost 18,000 Australians served in that war, including some 340 who lost their lives.

Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War was controversial.

In 1964, the National Service Act was introduced.

The Act was a scheme which introduced selective conscription in Australia, designed to create an army of 40,000 full-time soldiers.

Essentially, young Australian men were selected through a lottery process to serve and potentially die for their country.

Many of those conscripted were sent on active service to the war in Vietnam.

In 2023, the Australian Government will mark the 50th anniversary of the end of Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War.

Vic Jones of the Raymond Terrace RSL sub-Branch told News Of The Area, “This year, Australians are encouraged to honour and remember the service of some 60,000 Australian men and women who served in the Vietnam War and their families.”

Tragically, 523 Australians lost their lives in the Vietnam war, and over 3,000 were wounded.

For those who served in Vietnam recognition has taken time, the war was not a popular one and the Australian National Archives recognise that many of our returning soldiers “were subjected to abuse by anti-war protesters”.

Another anniversary to be recognised is the anniversary of the last Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel withdrawal from Afghanistan in June two years ago.

Around 30,000 ADF personnel served in Afghanistan and 41 died there.

By Marian SAMPSON