A distant memory
Anzac Day 2020 was set to be a very different day. For myself, the weeks of planning guest speakers, equipment, milo, volunteers, etc. for the Ōmokoroa Community Anzac services, was a non-starter. With no gatherings allowed, a new plan was put in place.
The Returned Services’ Association promoted the Stand At Dawn campaign - a hope that many would still get up before the dawn and walk to the ends of their driveways and show solidarity with their neighbours to both honour their forebears, and respect the collective drive to stamp out COVID-19. Our sacrifices so starkly different, but with the same ultimate goal.
The RSA teamed up with Radio New Zealand National to produce a live broadcast to complement the Stand At Dawn message and from 6am, a twentyminute service was on the air.
Many people answered the call, lit candles and stood at their mailboxes at 6am to commemorate the annual day of remembrance. In some areas, musicians played the last post for their neighbours.
The number of roadside displays being shown on social media was a wonderful indication of how widespread the support for this day commands, even when staying safe at home in our bubbles.
For many, Poppy Day is also an important day. Generally falling on the Friday before Anzac Day, volunteers sit outside supermarkets and distribute collection buckets giving poppies for a donation as a fundraiser for the RSA. This year, for the first time since it began in 1922, Poppy Day has been put on hold.
The RSA is yet to release a future date, although there is some speculation that it may coincide with Armistice Day on 11th November.
Needless to say, this will have a significant financial impact on the RSA, whose mission is “to remember and care for all those impacted by service for New Zealand”.
If you would like to give your support, you can donate to the RSA at www.rsa.org.nz/donate