OPINION:
The word Anzac is part of Australia and New Zealand's culture. As most people know, it stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. No one is entirely sure how the name Anzac came about, but it has been attributed to a Sergeant K Little of General Birdwood's headquarters. He made a rubber stamp with the acronym Anzac and it remained.
We are aware of the disastrous consequences of the Gallipoli campaign and that some 130,000 soldiers from all side lost their lives. Since 1916 Australia and New Zealand have commemorated Anzac Day in memory of their soldiers and a special bond between our two countries.
So, how is it that Anzac Day is still considered important in the lives of New Zealanders? How is it that so many modern-day New Zealanders still turn up a dawn parade and other Anzac Day commemorations?
While we may pride ourselves as a warrior nation, we are not a nation that has aggressive or hostile views – other than on the rugby paddock!
It is not that we glorify war or consider ourselves better than others. It is about a debt of gratitude to those men and women who have served and are serving so we might enjoy the freedom we have today. We are very lucky in New Zealand to be able to enjoy a degree of freedom that is denied to so many citizens in other parts of the world.
In 2004, I was privileged to accompany a group of veterans to Monte Cassino in Italy, where our New Zealand troops joined others in 1944 in a costly battle to take the town. Those veterans that were with us were wonderful and warm people.