Recognising our Anzac heroes
This week we recognise Anzac Day and remember those who have sacrificed so much on our behalf. I’m looking forward to speaking at the mid-morning service at Paraparaumu on Thursday.
This time last time year I was in Gallipoli, giving three speeches on behalf of New Zealand as the Minister of Veterans Affairs.
As the resting place for so many of our war dead, Gallipoli has become a sacred place for all New Zealanders.
It was an extremely moving experience to see where so many young New Zealanders lost their lives, and something I will never forget.
I remember watching a woman in the New Zealand band waiting to play. As the roll call played out I saw tears rolling down her cheeks, and she wasn’t the only one that morning.
I was shown around the various battle sites on the Canakkale Peninsula and saw first-hand the incredibly difficult conditions our soldiers faced, with towering cliffs and steep gullies.
It was evident just how close some of the trenches actually were. If you imagine a tennis court from baseline to baseline, that was often just how close our opponents were.
Thousands of Australians and New Zealanders make the pilgrimage to Gallipoli for Anzac Day and the 2015 celebrations will be especially poignant as it marks the 100 year anniversary of the original landings. Demand is expected to be so high that a ballot system will be run to allocate places.
There will also be major events happening throughout New Zealand with the opening of the National War Memorial Park in Wellington.
The First World War had an enormous toll on our young country. Our population at the time was less than one million, yet an expeditionary force of 100,000 was provided. Of those, 58,000 were killed or injured.
Anzac Day is also a time to remember our service men and women who have served in wars and conflicts since then, and who continue to serve around the world today.
Lest we forget.