David Langdon, Riverland Vietnam Veterans, October 2025
Sunday, 19 October marked National War Widows Day, a new commemoration day dedicated to honouring widows who lost their husbands due to military service for Australia, either during wartime or afterwards. In tribute to this significant day, the Riverland Vietnam Veterans (SA) Association organised the inaugural War Widows Day luncheon at Nanya Bistro in Renmark.
The event organisers, Vietnam veterans Roger Edmonds and David Langdon, were delighted with the positive reaction from Riverland war widows and their families who responded to invitations or attended this first SA regional commemoration event. Representatives from Legacy and the Renmark RSL also attended as guests and supporters, adding to the significance of the occasion.
The event provided a meaningful opportunity for the local Vietnam veterans to officially launch the War Widows Day in the Riverland, which now becomes a fourth annual commemoration alongside ANZAC Day, Remembrance Day, and Vietnam Veterans Day. In honour of War Widows and passed veterans, the Australian flag at the Riverland Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Berri was lowered to half-mast.
Mr Langdon said, “Surviving Vietnam War Veterans deeply admire the war widows in our communities for their courage and resilience, for the ways they supported and cared for their veteran husbands during the living years, and how they dealt with the unimaginable grief and loss of their loved veteran partner.” He said “They cared for and stood by our brothers in arms. We veterans who served in war and survived, want to salute and thank war widows who served on the home front, raising families and holding communities together long after the war ended. They are unsung heroes.”
Mr Edmunds added, “We take this opportunity to thank the ex-service organisations and friends of veterans, such as the Australian War Widows Inc, Legacy, RSL, Partners of Veterans, and Families of Veterans for the great work they do throughout the year to ensure we do not forget the sacrifices of Australia’s defence force veterans and their families. The support of ESOs and veteran families is vital in keeping those memories alive for generations to come.”
A poignant moment was shared at the Renmark luncheon when the Honour Roll of Passed War Widows was read out, acknowledging with sorrow and regret the recent passing of six Riverland war widows who could not join this year’s commemoration but who were remembered on this special day. It was a sombre reminder that time is limited, with some widows now in their 90s, and that expressions of appreciation and heartfelt thanks for the war widows’ courage and sacrifices should not be delayed, only to find the opportunity has slipped away.
This national day of commemoration, proclaimed by the Department of Defence a mere two years ago, was observed this year across the nation with widespread reverence during numerous events and ceremonies in many cities and rural communities. Services were held at memorials and cenotaphs, and at more casual gatherings, such as luncheons or morning teas. These observances collectively acknowledged and honoured the well-deserved, prominent role of widows within our veteran communities.
The establishment of a national commemoration for war widows now reflects a heartfelt desire to inclusively recognise and support the diverse group of women who have lost their partners due to service in defence of Australia, irrespective of the circumstances of their partner’s passing. War Widows Day should serve as a moving remembrance to all Australians that the enviable lifestyle we enjoy today is greatly owed to the ultimate sacrifices made by the loved ones of these widows, widowers, and their families in the noble defence of our nation.
Related story: Riverland Vietnam Veterans salute War Widows on their special day
