Becky Dougherty's grandfather wasn't much older than her when he joined the army at age 20 and went off to war.
Frank Gordon Dougherty, who died in 2003 aged 84, served in World War II and returned when he was 25.
Becky is a head prefect at Otumoetai College and will make a short speech today at the Anzac Day Civic Service in Tauranga's Memorial Park.
The 17-year-old will talk about the sacrifices made and importance of commemorating April 25 and all it stood for, "and what we should do as generations that haven't been so affected by war, looking into the future, advocating for peace".
Becky volunteered to speak at today's service alongside fellow Otumoetai College head prefect Redemption Te Wiki.
Read more: Thousands turn out for Mount Maunganui Anzac Day dawn service
Understanding the sacrifices made on Anzac Day
Becky said her grandfather died when she was 3 years old. She will wear some of his medals today to honour him.
"I think the war deeply affected him. He had to have quite a few hip replacements and stuff after the war," she said.
"I think it would scar you mentally. He did have periods of time where he was quite depressed but I think that was the case with many of the men who went to war."
Becky's grandfather's medals were mostly brought out after he died and were handed on to her dad, she said.
"I don't think any of them like talking about it. I don't think dad saw much of the medals when he was a kid."
Becky said many people her age want to get connected to history and find out more about what happened in the wars. Almost everyone had a connection with Anzac Day or war in general, she said.
"Obviously in New Zealand, we're quite a safe country but there are definitely countries out there that still have war and it's so important to think of the concept of war and think of how we can change our humanity.
"Speaking for myself, I certainly don't have an amazing understanding of our history and I want to expand on that because I think it's really important to know our past to ensure that we don't repeat it."
Anzac Day services today
Tauranga Civic Service at Memorial Park
8.30am: Assemble for the parade at Memorial Park, corner of 11th Ave and Fraser St, next to Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre
8.55am: March off
9am: Service starts at cenotaph in Memorial Park
Wet weather contingency: Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre
Pyes Pa Cemetery
403 Pyes Pa Rd
Remembrance service from 11am
Mount Maunganui RSA Cenotaph
Memorial Service (Marine Parade, opposite Mount Drury)
9.15am: Assemble at Mount Drury
9.25am: March off
9.30am: Service starts (if wet, service at RSA 544 Maunganui Rd)
Omokoroa
Community Memorial Service
11am: Service and wreath laying starts at Omokoroa Point School (37 Hamurana Rd)
Te Puke Memorial Service
Te Puke War Memorial Hall (130 Jellicoe St)
10am: Assemble on Jellicoe St, opposite Kiwibank
10.30am: Service starts
Katikati Civic Parade and Service
Katikati Memorial Square (Main Rd, Katikati)
10.15am: Assemble at the Talisman Hotel car park (Main Rd)
10.40am: March along Main Rd to Katikati Memorial Square
11am: Service starts, followed by wreath laying. There will be refreshments at Katikati RSA and Citizens Club after the service
Waihi Memorial RSA
71 Seddon Avenue, Waihi
8am: Waihi Cemetery Service
9am: Tunnelling Company Memorial Service at Gilmour Lake (use George St entrance)
10.45am: Parade assembles at Waihi RSA
10.50am: March through town to the Waihi War Memorial Hall
11am: Service starts
Noon: Lunch
Waihi Beach RSA
99 Beach Rd, Waihi Beach
9.30am: Memorial service