I have never fought in a war or come anywhere close to experiencing the harshness of what, for many people around our globe, continues to be an everyday reality. I am very, very grateful to be living in New Zealand and in relative peace. It is not perfect, and there have been wrongs done and we still have a distance to travel but, we have freedoms that some do not.
Tomorrow morning, I join with one of my daughters and her two young ones, and the many others who around the country (and world) remember those that have fought to help enable peace and those that still are involved in doing so.
In Hamilton, for any who want to join: Parade assembly: 5.30am, meet in Knox Street and march to the cenotaph in Memorial Drive, Hamilton.
Dawn service: 6am finishing around 6.40pm
My great Uncle Tom Gillanders was killed at Gallipoli 25th April 1915. A young, distant cousin of mine wrote about him for the centenury celebrations two years ago. It gives some good insight into the story of many who experienced this. Follow this link if you are interested… https://historygeek.co.nz/2015/04/25/gallipoli-toms-story/
Tomorrow, the celebration is more sollem but still a time I look forward to every year.
Life Events are Worth Celebrating
