But none mentioned why we still have wars and need to train and send our service persons into harm's way.
It is wonderful that so many youngsters were there but why were they not told what causes conflicts and wars?
No wonder so few know these days what fascism, totalitarianism, communism, socialism, capitalism and democracy mean. No wonder only about 42 per cent vote in our elections.
Lest we forget democracy, the best-known antidote to conflict and wars.
So please, tell the moko. And give the vets a chair. (Abridged)
Reynold Macpherson
Major (Retired), 3RNZIR/ 10 Para.
Banning US ships a mistake
Probably the biggest mistake made in modern times by successive New Zealand governments is the banning of US military (ships) in our waters if they have nuclear arms aboard (as all US military vessels have).
Now, with the aggressive stance taken by the Chinese government against Australia (News, April 29), New Zealand is the obvious stepping stone to Australia.
We need to push our government to invite the US to install naval bases on New Zealand soil as soon as possible. This is not just some fancy whim - it is fast approaching the time when the situation will become critical.
All Kiwis need to lobby their MPs now to act with all due haste to implement this.
Jim Adams
Rotorua
Weak defence links
To my shame, New Zealand has been very weak in our defence links with our Western Allies (basically Australia, USA, UK) for some 40 years.
Firstly, in the 1980s, David Lange mishandled his anti-nuclear stance. We could have been nuclear-free and still remained in Anzus.
Further being nuclear-weapon free is like declaring your street burglar free.
The bad guys ignore it.
The government of the day got rid of RNZAF's strike force in about 2000 and generally, we have run down our defence capability.
New Zealand has not pulled its weight for 40 years.
One day there will be a war and we will not only need our traditional allies but should be able to hold our head up and say we played our part in the period leading up to it.
To top it off, our defence force staff are effectively prison warders for MIQ facilities.
Fair enough to use them in their early stages of quarantine, but Corrections with an enhanced security industry should have taken over by now, and freed our soldiers, sailors and air personnel for future emergency roles plus, of course, their basic role in the front line.
Bill Capamagian
Tauranga
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