Monday May 4th 2009 marked the American Australian Association Ltd’s annual Commemorative Service of the Battle of the Coral Sea. Honouring those Australians and Americans who fought together in this decisive battle in the Pacific in World War II, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd stated in his letter, read by Ann Tolman, Chairman of the AAA Ltd Social Committee; “Our long and celebrated history of cooperation remains galvanised by an underlying commitment to common democratic principles.”

There remain only 2 surviving Sydney veterans from that battle, and the roll call of veterans of this battle throughout Australia grows smaller each year.
The Association holds this service the first Monday in May each year, preceded by a memorial service at St James Anglican Church on Sunday.
Dignitaries who attended included US Consul General Judith R Fergin, Vice Admiral Crowder USN, Hon John J Aquilina MLA, Hon Barry O’Farrell MP, Councillor Phillip Black, General Peter Cosgrove AC CZNM (Retd) and members of various Australian and American veterans’ associations.