President Trump did something yesterday that has eluded Australia and the United States for more than 70 years - he had North Korea agree to this:

1. The United States and the DPRK commit to recovering POW/MIA remains, including the immediate repatriation of those already identified.

I'm confident the United States will remember their Australian allies as they start work on getting our war dead home.

Thank you President Trump on behalf of all Australians and in particular the families of 43 Australian men missing in action in Korea since the 1950s.

Mr President, on 27 January 1953 Mrs JB Saunders of Canberra received this dreadful telegram.

Her husband John had served in World War Two.

When Australia needed him a few years later, he signed to serve with the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in Korea.

Private Saunders' son Ian was 4 years old when his mum answered that knock on the door.

The news has remained unchanged ever since.  His dad was reported killed in a grenade blast but his body has not been recovered and there's been no burial service, no gravestone to grieve at.

Here's Private Saunders son, Ian a short time ago.

In September 2015 Ian featured in this story about our 43 missing men. 

On 18 September 2015 the ABC ran that story largely due to Ian's unrelenting passion and commitment to this cause.

Ian and other families might have thought their passion and commitment was being rewarded when the ABC headed its report 

Korean War: Julie Bishop in renewed push to find 43 Australian servicemen still missing in action

It was empty rhetoric from the minister.

Ms Bishop handed the matter to a junior minister and a bureaucracy.

On 9 December 2015 the "Korean War Missing in Action Working Group" met for the first time - the meeting minutes are here. 

The only reference to any liaison with the North Koreans came under the heading "Meeting Outcomes - Strategy regarding recovery and identification of Australian MIA" 

Use diplomatic and defence networks to encourage other nations to assist in getting North Korea to cooperate with the international community regarding recovery of remains from their country. For example China, which has good relations with both North Korea and Australia, may be able to facilitate improved cooperation.

I'll post more on the Australian Government's abject disinterest in our war dead separately.

This is a day for sober commemoration, and hope for our servicemen's families.

Thank you President Trump.

Lest We Forget.

At the going down of the sun,

And in the morning,

We will remember them.