Age shall not weary them - we will remember them

Dawn of the 25th of April has a special meaning to those who live in New Zealand and Australia. It is the time when we remember the ANZACs.

ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, and was formed in 1915 for the Battle of Gallipoli. It marked the first time that Australian and New Zealand soldiers fought together, and suffered and fell together - the Battle of Gallipoli was hardly the knockout victory it was intended to be.

Since then, forces from both sides of the Tasman have worked together in pretty much every major war, and are remembered each year on ANZAC day, the 25th of April.

I'm not a believer in war-mongering, and don't even necessarily believe soldiers should fight in order to gain peace, but what is important is to remember the effects of war - the scars it leaves on society. While we remember, we help to avoid the same mistakes being made again.

It is for that reason, rather than any personal connection that I attend ANZAC services. In Hamilton, they are held in Memorial Park, near the river. It is a fitting place. The park was formed to commorate the losses in WWI, at which time the cenotaph was built, and a tree planted to represent each soldier lost as a living memorial. Many of those trees still stand today.

At 5:30 the returned servicemen march from Hamilton city, accross the river and into the park, after which a service begins with a bugler playing The Last Post. From there, hymns are sung, readings are read, and wreathes are laid. In amongst all of that, tears pour, memories flash back, and everyone supports one another.

During the National Anthem part of this morning's service a young woman collapsed. She was standing in place of a lost serviceman, and after being rushed to the ambulance by paramedics, was thankfully OK.

Let us not forget the horrors of war, and of the courage shown by these soldiers to defend our freedom. Whether the world would have turned out very differently where it not for their efforts is a moot point on a day like today - it is the intent of the actions that count.

ANZAC dawn service, Memorial Park, Hamilton, NZ - 25 April 2011

ANZAC dawn service, Memorial Park, Hamilton, NZ - 25 April 2011