Anzac heroes just like us
Former Army regular Dudley Andrews gave a very local perspective to remembering those who served King and country when he addressed Kaitaia’s civic Anzac Day service.
“They were young men and women looking for adventure, filled with loyalty for their hapu, iwi, town, village or family,” he said.
“These brave people came from Pukepoto, Awanui, Taipa, and other areas of our Far North. They were Werners, Busbys, Brasses, Andrews, Ujdurs, Smiths, to name but a few. Locals who would have walked along 90 Mile Beach, jumped off the wharf at Te Hapua, gathered tuatua with whanau and were active members of our community.
“But when the call came to represent their family and the Far North in war, they stood up. Unfortunately, many who left the embrace of the Far North would never again feel the wind of home on their face, be seen by their loved ones, or inform us that war is pointless. They may have said that life is better spent farming or with family.
“So we remember. We offer our time on this day to stop what we are doing in order to consider those who now hold their mana in Heaven or Hawaiki, those who served New Zealand and the Far North with honour and pride. We remember their sacrifice and commitment. And we are thankful for those who came back.
“Whether you believe in war or care of its reasons is of no concern and unimportant,” Mr Andrews added.
“Whether you feel that World War I, II, Vietnam and the operations since are of no relevance to you does not change the past. The soldiers who deployed to these wars and conflicts did believe, and had their reasons. They were driven and focused to do what they felt was right for those they loved. For us.
“During their deployment and times of battle, they would have felt fear, loss, hunger, were misinformed, home-sick, and witnessed the worst of mankind, but when times were hard they must have thought of this beautiful place we call home and smiled.
“They may have reflected on the events that brought them to this trench, field, jungle. They would have stood their ground as their ancestors once held their position with pride.
“I hope that we understand that their lives were not wasted. That they are heroes who saved men, women and children of different countries, cultures, towns and families from danger and death . . . We have, and will continue to have, heroes come from our part of the world.
“I hope that we in the Far North have lived up to the expectations of those men and women who served. I pray that we have learnt how to support those who came from war still cursed with horrible memories they cannot explain and unpack, or scars too deep to heal.”
Mr Andrews, who served 17 years in the Army, including deployment to East Timor, and was trained by New Zealanders who served in Bosnia, Singapore and Papua New Guinea, said the NZ Defence Force was one of the best in the world, and soldiers, sailors and airmen from the Far North were held on high regard.
“When we landed in East Timor there was nothing but death and destruction, villages with no males above the age of 12,” he said.
“And although we were always on aggressive jungle patrols to deter violent militia, we also found time to give back. We helped build a school, fixed their roads and repatriated thousands of refugees, performed haka and learnt their culture. When we passed locals around the villages they would shout out ‘Kia ora Kiwi!’ We became friends, and we left East Timor a safer place than when we found it.
“You can be proud of the the service men and women from the Far North. We are a hard-working, cheeky, loyal bunch of leaders who can get along with nearly any nationality and are always eager for a challenge. We captain ships, command troops and organise aid. Even when we leave the forces we still serve in our own way . . .
“I hope that one day we have a wall that recognises all who served our country, who returned, who survived. A memorial for those men and women who survived the horror of war to come home never the same. Maybe it’s time we remembered them also. Maybe.”
"The soldiers who deployed to these wars and conflicts did believe, and had their reasons. They were driven and focused to do what they felt was right for those they loved. For us." Former Army regular Dudley Andrews