Begun in 1985 to honour veterans of the Vietnam war, the day has expanded to recognise servicemen and women from all conflicts since World War II.

Veterans from as far afield as New Zealand were joined by defence and cadet units from all three services, members of the Vietnamese community and crowd favourites, the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.

A moving commemoration service and wreath laying ceremony were held at the cenotaph in Buckland Park following the parade.

Guest of honour Air Vice Marshal Mark Skidmore reminded the crowd that 2008 marks 40 years since two of the most important battles by Australians in Vietnam.

“It is particularly appropriate this year that we remember the 26 Australians and more than 300 North Vietnamese who were killed during the fighting at Coral/Balmoral in May and June 1968,” he said. “(These battles) were Australia’s largest and most protracted engagement of the Vietnam war.”

Later in the afternoon the Lithgow Pipe Band wrapped up the day’s events with the staging of the Beating the Retreat ceremony.