But this year, a splash of colour will lie at the base of the Stone of Remembrance in Canberra as the ACT government and the Defence LGBTI Information Service (DEFGLIS) join forces to honour the message of those five men - and the diversity of Australia's troops.

DEFGLIS president Vince Chong has lain a rainbow wreath at the War Memorial every Anzac Day for the past four years, but says the gravity of what he is doing still hits him each time he salutes.

"That first year, we had members come up to us afterwards and say 'thank you for including us as part of our modern Anzacs and as part of the Anzac legend'," he said.

"It wasn't always so great for them in the Defence Force but when they see the rainbow, it reminds us there is so much colour in those who serve. Diversity is not a modern concept for our Defence Force, we have always been here."

This year's wreath will have a uniquely Canberra flavour, styled after the famous rainbow roundabout in Braddon that celebrated Australia's historic legalisation of same-sex marriage in 2017.

ACT Veteran Affairs minister Gordon Ramsay said it was the first time the territory had partnered with DEFGLIS to lay the wreath, which would also be placed by prominent transgender campaigner and former military officer Catherine McGregor.

"It's extremely important to acknowledge and remember all [those] who serve or have served," Mr Ramsay said.

"We've had a diverse [military] for generations ... That's the reality of our Defence Force and that's what we’re doing tomorrow."

More than 25 years since the ban on LGBTI people in the Australian Defence Force was lifted, Mr Chong said work was underway to tell the stories of those who had previously served in silence.

"Being LGBTI for many of us has been a source of shame or [seeing] our contribution erased from history so we want to bring some of those stories back to life," he said.

"This wreath helps us reach out to the veteran community and let them know that they are supported, they are seen."