100 years commemoration! They shall be remembered!!!
Saturday 25th April 2015 as with the rest of the country, here in Maketu we remembered and commemorated. It was a wonderful sight to see all that had come from near and far, the young and old to honour those who served their country.
This years dawn service began at 5.30am with a blessing of the ANZAC memorial rock at the Maketu park. With the flags flying high and many gathered together on this cold morning.
This was quickly followed with the march to Whakaue Marae where the dawn service was held. What a great turn out, the Marae was full to the brim with many people looking in from the outside. There were some great speeches that brought back memories of those before us and tears to the eyes of some, as we could only imagine what it would have been like for them 100 years ago. As a gentlemen said with tears in his eyes “what an emotional service”. The newly formed choir complemented the morn-ing with their beautiful voices.
After the service we had the flyover of 3 planes which did a poppy drop of approx 1000 pop-pies over the estuary. All hand made from children from local schools in the area. What a grand sight to end the service. Service was followed by a beautiful kiwi breakfast.
Big thank you to the ANZAC committee and to all those that were involved for organising this day.
