Thousands turn out at Mount to honour fallen

• Published date: 26 April 2024
• Author: Rosalie Liddle Crawford
• Publication title: Bay of Plenty Times

Surrounding the Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, which stands as a solemn sentinel, the community gathered to honour and remember the sacrifices of those who served their country

Everyone stood silent as a bagpiper led the march on at 5.45am, with a guard formed first around the four corners of the cenotaph.

Marchers including veterans, Scouts, police and other services who marched on from opposite Mount Drury, which was packed with people watching the proceedings.

A period of silence and reflection followed until 6am when Mount Maunganui Returned and Services Association (RSA) president Arthur King welcomed everyone.

Mount Maunganui College student Morgan Kitching’s beautiful, clear voice rang out as she led the singing of the Australian national anthem, followed by the New Zealand national anthem in Maori and English.

Mount Maunganui RSA chaplain Marie Gilpin led the service with an opening prayer, followed by an address by King.

“This morning we reflect on the ongoing conflicts around the world and we are mindful of the suffering of everyone concerned,” King said.

He reminded the listeners how New Zealand forces suffered more than 58,000 casualties.

“At end of World War I the armistice agreement between Germany and the Allies was signed, an agreement that was supposed to end all world wars,” said King, before recounting how Australians and New Zealanders met in Egypt.

“Nowadays children and young adults have come to understand the word Anzac.

“The word Passchendaele has become synonymous with battles fought and lives lost. New Zealand suffered a further 18,000 casualties, including 5000 deaths.

“This year marks the 108th anniversary of Returned and Services Association.”

An evocative poem was read expressing sentiments and loss, and giving moments to reflect and remember with lines such as “pools of crimson blood where shapes of men fell down”.

King ended his address with a hope for the future, inviting people to come to the Mount RSA.

“We are thinking forward to encourage everyone to enjoy our services and camaraderie but learn the history.”

Gilpin’s reading was from the book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3.

“There is a time for everything,

And a season for every activity under the heavens:

A time to be...