Moments after the Last Post played, Papamoa man Simon Ritson plucked a poppy from his green beret and placed it on the Mount Maunganui cenotaph in honour of the soldiers who fought before him, as well as those struggling with life in more recent years.
Mr Ritson helped set up No Duff New Zealand Veteran's Support NGO - a group to help support military men and women struggling with life after service - after a former military friend of his went missing.
"We found out one of our friends in Auckland was homeless, suffering from PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injuries). He had slipped through the cracks and was so affected that he was literally sleeping under a tarpaulin in a park," Mr Ritson said.
A call was put out on Facebook and a group of ex-soldiers came together and found him.
The call for action sparked what was the beginning of No Duff which, as Mr Ritson said, was military-speak for "this is not a drill".
Mr Ritson set up the group with Aaron Wood in February last year to work with the RSA to help veterans, often younger, who might suffer from mental health issues or need welfare assistance.
No Duff had already helped soldiers who served in conflicts including Vietnam, Afghanistan and East Timor with things such as writing a CV, budgeting, or getting counselling for PTSI or depression.
Mr Ritson, who served in Afghanistan, said the group had already helped 98 veterans in crisis, which showed the need for the group, even though he wished it did not need to exist.
"We have veterans from every facet, every gender, old and young who are veterans in crisis.
"For us who run No Duff, we will continue doing what we do until we don't have to."
No Duff operated a 24/7 website, Facebook page and phone line. It has also recruited more than 300 volunteers.
"When you see your friends slip through the cracks and slip into a depressed state post service ... that becomes a real issue for any person," he said.
"We are all from an enforcement unit. It's probably one of the staunchest environments. When you first walk in, you enter as a boy and keep up with the men or finish. It's like that.
"There's a reason for that - the job is what it is - but being a product of that environment, it's very difficult for people to reach out and say 'I'm suffering with depression, or emotional issues'. It's very, very difficult for guys to do. But No Duff, a big part of what we do is break that down."
Mr Ritson spent nearly 11 years in service and struggled with his own adjustment to civilian life.
"One day I was in the system, the next day I was out. There was nothing. I had no assistance in terms of readjustment into the civilian world."
Mr Ritson managed but his concerns remained for younger soldiers, "especially if they've been away with a rough operation".
On No Duff's website and Facebook page, their motto Nos Adepto Fieri Stercore was obvious - Mr Ritson said the statement was Latin for "We get s**t done".
"It's not politically correct but veteran suicides is not politically correct," Mr Ritson said.
NO DUFF VETERANS SUPPORT NGO
Website: Noduff.co.nz
Facebook: www.facebook.com/No-Duff-NZ-Veterans-support-NGO
WHERE ELSE TO GET HELP
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
Youth services: (06) 3555 906 (Palmerston North and Levin)
Youthline: 0800 376 633
Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (available 24/7)
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.