The Returned and Services Association is hoping the public will come out in force to commemorate Anzac Day on Sunday.
A number of memorial and remembrance services will be held across the Bay of Plenty for people to honour servicemen and women past and present.
Tauranga RSA president Fred Milligan said anywhere between 1000 and 1500 people were expected to attend the dawn service.
"It's to remember all of the guys right through all of the years who have participated in [different conflicts]," he said. "It is very important.
"The youth of today have picked it up and run with it ... it's heartening."
The service starts at 6am at the Tauranga RSA Cenotaph, with those wanting to take place in the march asked to gather at Hayes Ave at 5.45am.
RSA national president BJ Clark said it was important for people to commemorate Anzac Day.
"Veterans that have served really appreciate seeing the public support on Anzac Day," he said.
"It shows to them that the public value and are honouring their service, and also those who have gone before.
"Even if it's not a dawn service and people turn up at civic services, that is acknowledgement they support our people going overseas to these conflicts."
Last year, publically held Anzac Day events were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the country being in lockdown. People were instead encouraged to gather at the end of their driveways at dawn.
In 2019, the Christchurch terror attacks on March 15 impacted some services, especially in Auckland.
Clark said Anzac Day was not about glorifying war but remembering the damage it could have so mistakes of the past were not made again.
"If we don't remember then we might make the same mistakes of the past," he said. "No one who has served will ever glorify war, they go as a feeling of duty.
"When we remember on Anzac Day we remember our friends and I think the other side of it is to hope that those who make the decisions to send our young people away will think carefully before they make that decision."
Meanwhile, the service of women in the military was highlighted by this year's Poppy Day Appeal last week.
Last year, the appeal went online due to people being confined to their homes during alert level 4 lockdown and $270,000 was donated.
The 2021 appeal is themed Service and Sacrifice and acknowledges the service of women in the military.
Clark said there was a real need among the veteran community for donations.
"The Poppy Appeal provides the bulk of our welfare funds and enables us to undertake veteran support activities, one of our core activities."
More than $15,000 has already been donated to the appeal online via Givealittle.
The RSA Poppy Appeal has been running since 1922 and is New Zealand's longest-running charity street appeal.
While the appeal was important, Clark said people could donate to the RSA every other day of the year too.
"The money is used in the best way to support our veterans, some who, because of their service, really do need help."
Anzac Day is held on April 25 each year to commemorate those who died serving New Zealand during war and honour past and present servicemen and women.
Anzac Day services across the Bay of Plenty
Tauranga Dawn Service
Tauranga RSA Cenotaph, 1237 Cameron Rd
• 5.45am – assemble at Hayes Ave
• 5.55am – march off
• 6am – service begins
Mount Maunganui Dawn Service
Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, Marine Parade (opposite Mount Drury)
• 5.45am – assemble at Mount Drury
• 5.55am – march off
• 6am – service begins
Tauranga Civic Memorial Service
Tauranga Memorial Park, Eleventh Ave
• 8.45am – assemble on the grass beside Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre
• 8.55am – march off
• 9.am – service begins
Mount Maunganui Civic Memorial Service
Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, Marine Parade (opposite Mount Drury)
• 9.15am – assemble at Mt Drury
• 9.25am – march off
• 9.30am – service begins
Pāpāmoa Civic Memorial Service
Pāpāmoa Memorial, Stella Place beach car park, Pāpāmoa Beach Rd
• 11.45am: Assemble on the grass down from Pāpāmoa cenotaph – near Pāpāmoa Pony Club
• 11.55am: March off
• 12pm: Service begins
Pyes Pā Remembrance Service
Pyes Pā Cemetery, 403 Pyes Pa Rd
• 11am
Waihī Beach Dawn Service
Waihī Beach RSA, 99 Beach Rd
• 5.45am – fall in parade
• 6am – service begins
Waihī Beach Civic Service
• 9:30am start
Ōmokoroa Dawn Service
Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve, 5 Gellibrand Pl, Ōmokoroa
• 6am start at the Memorial Cairn
Katikati Dawn Service
Katikati War Memorial Hall, Main Rd, Katikati
• 5.45am – assemble at the Talisman Hotel
• 5.55am – march to Katikati War Memorial Hall
• 6am – service begins
Te Puke Civic Service
Te Puke War Memorial Hall, 130 Jellicoe St, Te Puke
• March to War Memorial Hall at 9.50am
• 10am start
Maketū Dawn Service
In front of Anzac rock, Beach Road, Maketū
• 5.45am – assemble at the Beach Rd carpark
• 5.55am – march to Anzac rock
• 6am – service begins