Veterans remembered

REMEMBER: (left to right) Veterans Stuart Clausen, John Handcock and Bob Stevens sitting by the remembrance wall. PHOTO: RENEE CLAYTON

Ultimate Care Aroha put together a wall of remembrance to say thank you to the friends and family who served in wars.

Aroha is a part of the Ultimate Care group comprising 19 resthome facilities around New Zealand.

In the local facility they have three resident veterans who served for their country in World War II.

Stuart Clausen was part of the Navy during the war and was in the Gambia at the signing of the Japanese surrender; he was also a great photographer and published a book called Towards Victory in 1993.

Residents John Handcock and Bob Stevens served in Korea.

Mr Handcock said what Ultimate Care Aroha put together was amazing.

"I was very grateful for it; it made me reminisce a lot."

Diversional therapist Kathie Carter said it was a part of their 'we promise to care' philosophy.

"This year we wanted to acknowledge all our Aroha families for service in any conflict and show it is not just about the old ones anymore, we need to think of our young soldiers too. It was about all of us coming together and saying we will never forget."

ANZAC DAY: Anzac Day is a day of national remembrance for all New Zealand and Australian soldiers who fought, served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping missions. The date itself marks the landing of coalition forces on the Gallipoli Peninsula in 1915.