Today I was a proud member of the thousands of people who stood together to remember and pay tribute to the men and women who fought for our country. Some of those brave soldiers gave their lives and some returned home to their loved ones never to forget what and who they had left behind. We were asked to give thought to the morning of the 25th April 1915 when Australian and New Zealand troops landed under fire at Gallipoli. It was then and in the battles that followed that the ANZAC tradition was formed.
What has founded our nation's history is the courage and comradeship felt by every man who lifted his rifle in battle, every medic who treated the wounds of those battles and every accomplishment bestowed for the freedom of humanity so that we as New Zealanders might have a better life. Let us also remember the often silent soldiers, those who worked behind the scenes, in the offices, on the phones serving in a different capacity to ensure we in 'Gods Own' knew what was happening. In a world of turmoil where conflicts are happening in more recent times, we need to reach inside ourselves and find that compassion for those who are fighting to restore peace in their own homelands so that they too, may have better lives for the future. That said, world wars should never happen but sadly will continue until a living life becomes more precious than a dead one. We were asked also to remember those who returned home wounded - in body and mind - who suffered as prisoners of war and those who died in captivity. We remember and we give thanks to their families whose sacrifices were greater than any family should ever have to bear. As I walked to lay the wreath at Taita Cemetery, and as I placed it under the New Zealand Flag, I thought of my Mum and Dad, Lance Sergeant Val Smith and W. A 1 Elsie Smith whose remains are in the RSA Wall of Remembrance and I felt my own sense of pride for the part they both played in protecting our country and our people. Lastly but certainly not the least was my pride at knowing I belonged to a group of people whose motto is Service Above Self. We do not fight a war per se but we do continue to fight to ensure others lives are made easier and richer by our efforts.
Homai e te Atua he oranga rangimarie - God grant us a peaceful life.