We will remember
An appreciation of the surviving war veterans and what they had achieved was acknowledged by the crowd at the Anzac Day civic service at Timaru’s soundshell on Tuesday. Applause broke out as surviving veterans from all wars New Zealand has been involved in over the decades stood to attention for the march-out led by the South Canterbury Highland Pipe Band.
Roncalli College deputy head boy Isaac Matson, 17, said he found the service ‘‘eye-opening’’ and felt privileged he was born into a time of peace for New Zealanders. ‘‘It was eye opening to know that kids our age were sent to war.’’
There was standing room only at the 10am service as young old and middle aged gathered to remember the fallen and those who fought. The stark reminder of how many had lost their lives in World War I from South Canterbury was represented by the Field of Remembrance with 1500 white crosses of the men and women who died.
Simon Brocket brought his daughter Willow, 5, to the Civic service on her insistence.
‘‘It was a very good service and appropriate. It touched on what it was like for those who were there.’’
Wreath laying at Timaru’s Anzac Day dawn service was limited and changed to the civic service so war veterans were not forced to stand for long periods.
South Canterbury RSA general manager Michelle Brown said it had been a ‘‘phenomenal’’ day with an estimated 2000 people of all ages attending the civic service.