The repatriation of two Bay war veterans is heartwarming news.
Just a couple of weeks out from Anzac Day the announcement came that Don Frith and Jack Williams' remains are to be returned to New Zealand.
In Vietnam, sometime in 1969, Frith died after falling ill, while Williams was killed via a gunshot to the head.
The former had connections with Wairoa, the latter was schooled in Waipukurau. Both are buried in Malaysia but now will be returning to New Zealand.
It's a favourable step by the Government, albeit after pressure from families and the RSA - and albeit in election year and, as luck would have it, close to Anzac Day.
However, the important thing is that families of New Zealand military personnel buried overseas will now be offered the chance to repatriate their loved ones.
Veterans' Affairs Minister David Bennett said the decision will cover New Zealand soldiers buried overseas between 1955 and 1971 in Singapore and Malaysia.
It's understood the first phase will cover 36 people buried in Singapore and Malaysia, with each repatriation expected to cost between $170,000 and $200,000.
Frith and Williams would be well pleased, according to Napier veteran Hardie Martin.
He sent us an email this week buoyed by the news: "I can imagine them lying at Terendak right now and saying to each other 'hey mate, we're going home'."
"Jack was killed just 20 feet away from me," he said. "I served with both in 3 Platoon of Victor 4 Infantry Company and was there when both died."
About 100 New Zealand soldiers are still buried overseas, mostly in Malaysia yet also in Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Samoa, Fiji and Cyprus.
And it's not before time they were finally sent home. While some families will no doubt be happy to leave their loved ones where they lie, many will want them returned to obtain the closure they fully deserve.
Repatriation is a nice word. It sums up why soldiers left to serve their country in the first place, and underlines the fact that despite being accidental expats for so many years, they remain patriots.