Proud family among young and old
IMichael Neilson
t was a proud moment for the Moller family, as their Korean War veteran father and grandfather attended his first Anzac Day dawn service in his home city. Their family was part of an estimated 16,000 to 18,000 who gathered at the Auckland War Memorial Museum to pay respects to the country’s servicemen and women.
Meanwhile across the world thousands of people gathered on the rugged shores of Turkey’s Gallipoli peninsula to mark the 103rd anniversary of Australian and New Zealand forces’ first bloody landing there.
Wreaths were laid after New Zealand Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy spoke, beginning and ending her speech in Maori.
In Auckland, Dave Moller had made a special return from his home on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, and was flanked by two of his grandchildren, Amy and Kyle, in the Court of Honour during the ceremony.
Moller, 86, served in the New Zealand Army in Korea from 1952-1953. “It is very nice to be here, at home.” Many of his friends he served with had died. “But just to be here at last, with my family, is very special.”
Granddaughter Amy attended the dawn service with her family most years, but this time with her grandad was extra special.
“It is really important to remember what they have done. I am very proud [of my grandfather].”
Thousands of people of all ages assembled at dawn services across the country yesterday morning.
But in Turkey a busload of Australian and Kiwi tourists had a terrifying journey to commemorations in Gallipoli after their bus caught fire.
Forty-five passengers were making their way from Izmir, about five hours from Anzac Cove, when the engine on their bus started to smoke.
The driver ordered everyone off as they tried to douse the flames.
Firefighters were called but the bus was soon engulfed in flames.
No passengers were injured but their luggage was incinerated.
Back home, packed crowds of thousands were at services in the main centres, including Tauranga, Hamilton, Rotorua, Whanganui, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Even smaller areas drew in big crowds, including on Whangamata’s beachfront where 500 people gath- ered for the Anzac Dawn Parade.
At the Auckland War Memorial Museum dawn service babies were sitting on their parents’ shoulder to get a better view as veterans from World War II, the Vietnam War and more recent conflicts in Bosnia, the Solomon Islands and Iraq gathered in the Court of Honour.
Grandchildren clutched the hands of grandparents, blankets draped over their shoulders to stay warm.
Air Force serviceman Tua Atkinson and his partner Linda — at the service with daughter Holly, 13, and son Nico, 17 months — proudly wore their uniforms and medals.
Atkinson said celebrating Anzac Day in Auckland was important after his deployments overseas to Syria, Afghanistan, and Sinai. “I had the privilege of going to Gallipoli in 2007 when I was over in Syria.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern sat with her partner, Clarke Gayford, next to Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.
Ardern placed a wreath on behalf of all Kiwis, for all New Zealand men and women who have served.
Goff reflected on family he lost in wars, including two great uncles in the Great War and a nephew in Afghanistan in 2007.
“We don’t come here today to glorify war, but pay tribute to the courage and steadfastness of our service personnel.”
Anzac Day in pictures A14-15