Editorial: Salute to those who gave so much

New Zealand's public holidays always seem to court controversy: whether it's Easter trading, businesses facing penal rates with time-and-a-half and a day off in lieu, Waitangi Day protests or Monday-isation.

But every year, on April 25, the noise dies down, the country takes a breath and pauses in tribute to those who gave service to their country in time of war.

I was just saying to a colleague the other day it is hard to believe that within the lifetimes of men and women alive today the horrors of World War II were perpetrated.

Countless horrors have occurred elsewhere since, but this was a major conflict our family members were involved in.

Both of my grandfathers served in World War II. My great-grandfather was at Gallipoli. All, thankfully, came home.

I can't even begin to imagine the fortitude young New Zealanders would have needed facing the terrifying prospect of war, or courage needed on the battlefield.

What I can do is give thanks that they stood up and gave service and give recognition that many never came home.

According to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission nearly 12,000 New Zealanders were listed as military deaths in World War II.

As a percentage of the country's population, in today's terms that would be more than 32,000 deaths, or nearly the population of Whakatane or Taupo.

World War II was only 70 years ago. Gallipoli, at which thousands of New Zealanders died, was less than a century ago. The involvement of young people in today's services is so important to maintaining that link between now and then.

Today, on Anzac Day, we remember. Lest we forget.