Thousands honour those who served
Jan Hutchinson takes a moment to compose herself before sharing the story behind the medals clipped to her lapel.
‘‘My husband is no longer alive,’’ she said. ‘‘These medals belonged to his father.’’ Cliff Hutchinson, Jan’s father-in-law, earned those medals for bravery, while serving during World War II in Italy. Her husband, Dennis, wore them every Anzac Day, until he died a few years ago.
Jan had come to the national Anzac service with her wider family, including her greatgrandson. ‘‘Hopefully he will grow up remembering what our soldiers did for us.’’
The Hutchinson family were among an estimated 2500-3000 people in attendance for the National Commemoration Service at Wellington’s Pukeahu National War Memorial. Earlier, up to 10,000 people flocked to a 40-minute dawn service to pay respects to service men and women on a calm, clear morning.
Yesterday’s Anzac Day service was held a year on from the disruptions of Covid-19, which forced last year’s commemorations to be abandoned.
The Governor-general, Dame Patsy Reddy, acknowledged people were ‘‘indeed fortunate that today we can stand side by side once more’’.
‘‘We stand in quiet reflection on the meaning of sacrifice for those who lost their lives in the service of their country.’’
Reddy said people were not gathered to ‘‘glorify or romanticise war’’ but to remember the many ordinary young men and women who gave up their lives to serve their country. ‘‘We acknowledge our veterans – those who have gone and those we are honoured to have among us still.’’
Reddy led the wreath laying ceremony along with her husband, Sir David Gascoigne, Australian high commissioner Patricia Forsythe, and ambassador for the Republic¨¨ruturkeyoofmu¨ nsay.
Earlier, in opening the service, master of ceremoniesward Kamo said Anzac Day was a day to pay respects to the men and women ‘‘down through the ages’’ who had answered their country’s call to service.
‘‘We pause to remember their courage, devotion to duty, and self-service in the pursuit of peace – a peace we still enjoy, a peace that was only won at the cost of far too many lives. May our commemorations today be worthy of the price they paid, for they gave up their tomorrows, so we can have our today.’’