Just recently Australia and Vietnam marked the 50^th anniversary of the battle of Long Tan, which must have opened many old wounds for the soldiers who served in that unpopular war.

Step back again, and we remember the soldiers returning from the two world wars, many of whom never spoke of their war experiences, even to their closest loved ones.

And today, men and women are returning from the middle east conflicts, to a world much more accepting of the terrible price they pay for their service.

But of course there are those who don't return.

While our attitudes and treatment of returned soldiers is only now beginning to approach something resembling a fair and civilised response – there has been one constant in the care of the men, women and children left behind after war.

That constant is Legacy.

Former Legacy Australia chairman,  David Gray, said the organisation was born out of a heartfelt promise to look after the  “missus and the kids” made by diggers in WWI to their fallen mates.

This week is Legacy Week, which brings with us a reminder that the soldiers are not the only casualties of war.

Throughout history wives have been left widows and children left fatherless – they have made a very personal sacrifice and paid a high price.

Each year, Legacy assists more than 80,000 widows and 1,800 children and people with disabilities.

Australia has lost just over 100,000 service men and women in all conflicts with many, many more badly injured, both mentally and physically.

This iconic charitable organisation, with such strong grounding in history and tradition, is showing it can evolve to meet the needs of modern times.

Legacy is playing its own part in assisting soldiers affected by PTSD.

While there always seems to be fundraising going on for different causes, Legacy Week is one that just about everyone is happy to get behind.

So buy a badge, and support the work of this army of volunteers who have been there for our community since WW1.