It is 92 years since New Zealand troops landed at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli but judging by the thousands who took to the streets today Anzac Day will not be forgotten any time soon.
In Auckland, as an estimated 15-20,000 gathered at the Cenotaph in Auckland Domain, there was a poignant reminder of a war veteran who passed away at last year's dawn service.
"She'll be right mate," were the emotive words spoken a year ago today after Sydney John McGuire who died as he paid homage at last year's dawn service at Auckland's Domain.
This year, the words again echoed around the Domain as Auckland Mayor Dick Hubbard reminded a record turnout of about 20,000 people the words summarised exactly what the Anzac spirit "stands for and means to all of us".
He said in 1915 at Gallipoli Kiwi troops on the far side of the world faced a bloody, bitter and hopeless fight.
Young men left their families and the only country they had known to fight a war on the other side of the world.
" Our young men, as records show, showed exceptional discipline and courage in forbidding terrain and in the most primitive of conditions – conditions unimaginable today."
Mr Hubbard said for a small country with a population of only one million the casualties were catastrophic.
A few minutes earlier just after 6am the crowd stood in silence and darkness for a full minute.
For the first time in several years the 2007 service was not marred by rain and cold conditions as war veterans marched on to the Court of Honour in front of the museum.
In one of the minor glitches of the service the flypast by an Air Force Seasprite helicopter attached to the navy began a few moments early, drowning out part of the Ross Falconer's benediction as it roared low overhead.
In Wellington, thousands packed the area in front of the Cenotaph as about 150 veterans and their families led the dawn parade the short distance along Lambton Quay.
Former Secretary of Defence Graham Fortune said New Zealanders and Australians needed to remember their joint heritage built over two world wars.
He said a shared standard of behaviour had been forged in the World War 1 at Gallipoli and the countries should not go so far in creating their own identities as to forget their shared history.
"When we're faced with injustice, we would as a people do what was right despite any resistance," he said.
"We and Australia have always worked together in war and peace. We must continue to do so."
Two people were arrested in Wellington and charged with offensive behaviour and obstruction after a horn was sounded and a New Zealand flag burned, disrupting proceedings.
Internationally renowned Christchurch singer Hayley Westenra sang the national anthem before a pipe band led the marchers off towards Pipitea Marae.
In Christchurch, RSA president John Suttie estimated 8000 turned up on a clear day in The Square for the dawn service.
Among those were a large number of veterans from Vietnam, Malaya and later conflicts, as well as good turnout of World War 2 veterans.
Mr Suttie said they did not march, as they were getting older, but the RSA had a strong membership in Christchurch, including upwards of 1000 World War 2 veterans.
Mr Suttie, who served overseas in southeast Asia, said it had been good to see scouts, guides and brownies all laying wreathes.
In Featherston, near the site of a former army training camp and prisoner of war camp, RSA president Ray Weighell said 250 had marched in the parade and over 1000 had lined the streets on a perfect Wairarapa day.
Mr Weighell, who served with the British airforce in Suez and Cyprus in 1956 and 1957, said the club had 27 World War 2 veterans, the oldest of whom was Bert Alloway, at 87.
Other club veterans had served in Korea, Vietnam, East Timor and Afghanistan.
Mr Weighell could "only guess" as to what was behind the increasing number of young people.
"Somebody's telling them, and they're coming out and it's wonderful to see them all here because obviously the older chaps who returned from the second world war, there's not that many of them left now and those that are left are a bit long in the tooth now so it's nice to see that there are youngsters willing to carry it on."
In Dunedin, police said a large number turned out in fine but crisp conditions for the dawn parade at the Cenotaph in Queen's Gardens.
In Temuka, RSA members braved some wet weather for the dawn parade before heading for a service at the Cenotaph in nearby Winchester.
Later today at the National War Memorial in Wellington and speaking at his first Anzac Day service as Governor-General, Anand Satyanand chose to make his greeting in English, Maori, Cook Island, Niuean, Tokelauan and sign language.
Mr Satyanand, speaking at the 75th anniversary of the dedication of the memorial, remembered both those who served and died for New Zealand in overseas conflicts as well as those now serving overseas.
"Their professionalism, dedication and personal sacrifice are something of which all New Zealanders can be properly proud
"Peace operations and attendant peacekeepers are essential if the world is not to stumble into the conflicts of the past."
NZPA Wednesday, 25 April 2007
No comments:
Post a Comment