My interest in the two world wars has grown this year.
It was sparked during a visit to the Auckland Museum in January. The museum had a first-rate war section and I found myself fascinated.
I remember looking at the names of the fallen on the walls and thinking to myself what a waste of life.
I also remember seeing my family name. It was a relative who had died.
It was an emotional moment.
It was also sobering learning more about the atrocities committed by the Nazis in World War II. How could anyone be so evil and inflict so much pain? Were the perpetrators of these war crimes even human?
Since then, I have read a book on the second war, and am currently reading another World War II book, deepening my knowledge of this horrendous conflict.
Today, across the Western Bay, in other parts of New Zealand, Australia and other parts of the world, hundreds of thousands marked Anzac Day, a day for remembering the brave.
Thousands attended ceremonies; others remembered in their own way, giving quiet thanks to those who laid down their life, or risked their life to defeat evil so subsequent generations could have life and freedom.
During my recent readings, I have tried to imagine what it would be like going to war and coming face to face with the enemy. I have looked at the faces of the soldiers in books, trying to read them. But of course it is an exercise in futility.
It is impossible to know what the men from both world wars felt. It's impossible to know how their families felt. No one can know what it's like to leave family behind knowing you may never come back, unless you've had to do exactly that.
Today, I believe we live in a safer world. Yes, there are conflicts still raging, but nothing on the scale of what happened twice last century.
And it is critical that nothing like these two wars ever happens again. It is important we do not allow countries to form empires and invade other countries in a quest for world domination.
It is important the tradition of Anzac Day lives on, and parents and schools ensure they teach the next generation about what happened, why it happened, why it must not happen again, and why it is so important to remember and acknowledge.
I give thanks to everyone who fought and lost their lives.
I also salute those who risked their lives and came home.
They all demonstrated bravery most people today cannot possibly fathom. They deserve our thanks and utmost respect.