ANZAC Day goes to school in Raetihi

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 584, 2 May 1995, Page 5

ANZAC Day goes to school in Raetihi

By

Amiria

Teki

Raetihi, like many schools around the country, commemorated ANZAC Day last week with a service that took place on Monday during assembly. A representative from the Waiouru Military Camp, staff sergeant Carver, was invited to address the pupils. He spoke on how important it was that today's children need to understand that New Zealand men and women went willingly to war because they wanted to protect their country, their families and friends, to defend their country and to provide a better future for the next generation. Grant Fountain, school principal, gave a short address, paying tribute to those men and women who lost their li ves in the first and second world wars and also to those Maori and Pakeha soldiers who fought in the New Zealand wars. The patrons of the RSA, Ray Littlewood and Cyril Larsen, were present. The students called the roll of honour, naming wars, the school' s flag was lowered, and part of the veterans' verse read. Dawn service A large crowd gathered this year to join with military personnel and returned service men and women in honouring those who gave their lives in both world wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. A service was held in the Waimarino Club with mayor Garrick Workman and his wife Maureen also present. In his address Mr Workman paid tribute to those who lost their lives in past wars, to those who died on duty on peace keeping missions, and to those who have died since as a result off illness or injuries sustained in wars.

There was a strong call for unity among Maori and Pakeha in today's society, unity that brought all New Zealanders together for the common purpose. Lt Col. Clyde Stewart endorsed the remarks, paying

particuiar attention to tne many young people present whose freedom and future are so important. Mr Stewart said this years ' commemoration had a lot of important significance. It is 80 years since the landing of New Zealand and Australian troops on Gallipoli, 25 April 1915. It is also 50 years since World War Two was ended and 150 years of established military service in New Zealand. Reference was made to New Zealand solders currently in Bosnia in a peace keeping roll and to the importance of maintaining peace between nations for a better future. As good mates gathered later for the traditional rum and coffee, or a pint or two, jokes were shared, yams told and re-told.