REMEMBRANCE: Main organiser Rod McKenzie addresses the gathering with serving and former members of the armed forces at the Mangaweka Anzac Day service.PHOTO/SUPPLIED
REMEMBRANCE: Main organiser Rod McKenzie addresses the gathering with serving and former members of the armed forces at the Mangaweka Anzac Day service.PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Light rain in the early morning did not deter a turnout of 100 people to the Mangaweka's Anzac Day Dawn Parade.
The commemoration began at 6am with a march down Broadway, under the guiding hand and commanding voice of Warrant Officer Class 1 Shane McClay, who was parade marshall.
Themarch was led by seven serving soldiers from the Army Command School in Waiouru, with former service personnel, members of the Mangaweka Volunteer Fire Service, and other attendees marching close behind.
On reaching the Memorial Gates outside the school on Raumaewa Rd, the laying of wreaths followed a short welcome and introduction speech by one of the main organisers, Rod McKenzie.
This sombre moment was followed by a poem about Flanders Fields by local student Hayden Robb.
There was then a religious perspective, with prayers conducted by Pastor Gordon Collins from the Mangaweka Assembly of God church, with a moment's silence at the end.
Marchers and observers then went to the Mangaweka Village Hall for breakfast and a cup of tea.
