Comrades on parade

Reporter JO-MARIE BROWN and photographer PETER MEECHAM watch Auckland honour its military.

With flags flying, drums beating, swords drawn and bayonets fixed, the armed services wanted to show off on Saturday - and show off they did.

The sunlight gleamed off polished medals and weapons as hundreds of uniformed Navy, Army and Air Force personnel marched up Queen St in the first joint charter parade held in Auckland in 45 years.

Following closely behind were smartly dressed veterans wearing medals from the Second World War and conflicts in Korea, Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam, the Middle East, Yugoslavia and East Timor.

The custom of charter parades is an ancient one which allows cities to honour their military units.

And pride was evident on every face as the Navy Band spurred the procession on past Aotea Square, where Mayor Christine Fletcher inspected them.

Orders such as "General salute ... present arms" were bellowed out and the respective services responded with quick and impressive precision.

Among the veterans were a handful of Vietnam servicemen who, 30 years on, have never been officially welcomed home.

Saturday's parade was originally proposed by Mrs Fletcher as just such an opportunity, and Vietnam veterans Bill Boyes and Colin Mosby said they were thrilled to take part.

"When we came back in 1967 we didn't have a very warm reception from Auckland, so this is a wonderful turnout," Mr Boyes said.

The pair shared their memories with those marching around them, with Mr Mosby relishing the sense of comradeship.

"We've all shared experiences in one way or another in various parts of the world, and gathering together like this is the opportunity for us to all mix in and learn from one another," he said.

At Aotea Square, which was converted into a military base complete with camouflaged tents and troop carriers, Mrs Fletcher thanked past and present service personnel for their sacrifices.

"You have served in the challenge of war and in the challenge of maintaining peace in wartorn regions.

"We honour you all today for your courage, your commitment and your noble and inspirational service," the mayor said.

Brigadier David McGregor paid special tribute to soldiers recently returned from peacekeeping duties in East Timor.

As the parade about-turned, two thumping Iroquois helicopters flew low the length of Queen St, providing a rousing send-off for the veterans and service personnel who were warmly applauded as they passed by.

The display obviously impressed many youngsters, who later clambered into sack bunkers in Aotea Square and eagerly queued to see the Army's guns and an Iroquois helicopter up close.

Meanwhile, across town, Vietnam was being remembered in a quite different context.

A "people's apology" was tendered by city councillor Maire Leadbeater to the President of Vietnam at a gathering primarily to mark the 20th anniversary of the Springbok rugby tour.

While the Vietnam veterans had never been officially welcomed home, Ms Leadbeater pointed out that New Zealand had never formally apologised to the Vietnamese people.

"It was a wrong war. We were the aggressor, and as a result of New Zealand's participation, thousands of Vietnamese civilians died and you just can't completely ignore that."