Editorial: Selfless giving typifies hero

The 617 Squadron lost 130 men in the 15-and-a-half months Dambusters pilot Les Munro spent with them - he was one of the lucky ones. Photo / George Novak

In the lead-up to Anzac Day I have been awed by the stories of those who served their country during war times.

While many of those men may not have initially realised what they were in for, they fought bravely and selflessly.

What they faced is something few of us can even imagine.

Tauranga's Les Munro, the last surviving Dambusters pilot, is one of those men.

He risked his life flying the aeroplanes that bombed German dams during World War II as part of the 617 Squadron.

The 617 Squadron lost 130 men in the 15-and-a-half months Mr Munro spent with them - he was one of the lucky ones.

On Wednesday he handed over his war medals and logbook to Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology to raise money for the upkeep of the Bomber Command Memorial in London.

He was compelled to sell his medals to ensure the memorial to his fallen comrades was maintained.

It was only thanks to the generosity of British philanthropist Lord Ashcroft the medals could be guaranteed to remain in New Zealand.

A 94-year-old war veteran should not have to worry about the upkeep of a memorial.

The city of London should be committed to taking care of that.

It's important that future generations know what these men did - what they gave up so that we could live in peace.

War should never be forgotten.

We need to remember and learn from the past.

Putting the issue of who pays aside, it's also an example of the selflessness of Mr Munro.

Not only did he risk his life during the war, he chose to make sure those he fought alongside were remembered rather than keep the medals in his family.

Selflessness is a trait of those who fought - a trait often seen in the older generation but rarely in the younger.

Mr Munro's actions are a harsh reminder.

I too am guilty.

I have a hard time throwing out old clothes, which is nothing compared to giving away a piece of history.

In an era when we have so much, we need to remember what is really important.