Armistice Day marked by service

Bob McKenzie and 14-year-old cadet Maia Carrington pay their respects to Rotorua's fallen soldiers at an Armistice Day ceremony.

Rotorua remembered the men and women who laid down their lives to protect New Zealand's freedom at an Armistice Day ceremony yesterday.

The commemoration was held at the cenotaph in the Government Gardens and was led by Rotorua RSA president John Treanor with guest speakers including mayor Steve Chadwick, RSA chaplin the Reverend Tom Poata, and MPs Todd McClay and Fletcher Tabuteau.

Ninety-six years ago yesterday, a truce was signed between Great Britain, its allies, and the German Empire to officially end World War I - on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Sadly, the terrible lessons of the first "Great War" were ignored and millions more died little more than 20 years later during World War II.

Like Anzac Day, Armistice Day is a day to remember all of those people who fought and died for their country in the many conflicts New Zealanders have fought in.

Royal New Zealand Navy veteran Bob McKenzie said he tried to attend every Armistice Day and Anzac Day commemoration he could.

Mr McKenzie saw service on the HMNZS Royalist in Malaya and Vietnam during his career in the navy between 1956 and 1962.

He also had two uncles who served during World War II.

"You don't really think about it - you just go. They will always be important to me," he said.

Young Rotorua army cadet Maia Carrington said she wanted to join the services as a medic after she had completed her schooling at John Paul College.

She said it was important for young people to remember and respect the contribution veterans had made to the country in times of war.

More than 100,000 New Zealanders served overseas during World War I, about 18,500 were killed.