18 May 2010

Anzac Day is not a celebration. It is not a commemoration of victories that gained independence for our country, or a great battle that established our name on the international arena, Chief of Army, Major General Rhys Jones told those attending the Dawn Ceremony in central Wellington on Anzac Day.

“Anzac Day is a time to remember and reflect on the sorrow, loss and sacrifice that is the obligation of Nationhood, the cost of Liberty and the price of Freedom.

“Today we remember the New Zealanders who served in the First World War: specifically in Gallipoli, but also in Palestine and France; those who served on the sea; and those who fought in the air. We also remember those New Zealanders who fought and particularly those who died in the wars before and since 1915. We also remember those soldiers and civilians from other nations who died beside us, and who died fighting against us: particularly the Australians and the Turks at Gallipoli.

“Those of us who stand today in perhaps the safest country on earth must never forget what the cost of that safety has been over the last 95 years. ANZAC Day reminds us of that cost and the sacrifice that we as a nation must be prepared to make to ensure our freedom.

Sacrifice, Loss and Obligation

“Ninety-five years ago men from all parts of New Zealand were in a war on the other side of the earth, one that had provided the horrific experiences of trench warfare, gas attacks, and modern weaponry against old tactics. Combat troops of the Infantry and Mounted Rifles fought beside their Australian counterparts to forge the ANZAC legacy. These men and others in the engineers, artillery, headquarter staff, logistic and medical troops took part in battles that are the foundation of New Zealand and Australia’s military heritage. New Zealanders and Australians served on the Royal Navy ships that fought at Jutland and in the numerous small ship battles in the North Sea. Men from here also fought as part of the newly formed Royal Flying Corps. Women served in the nursing and medical Corps, and in auxiliary units. Volunteers served as civilians in the Red Cross and Salvation Army providing support and comfort to soldiers on the battle front.

“Through personal acts of courage, initiative, daring and determination in the face of overwhelming odds a future standard was laid out for both our countries: that when faced with injustice we would as nations do what is right – regardless of the resistance we meet or the fears that we hold.

So it is that 95 years on, the ANZAC spirit remains strong. Anzac Day is not about a place in New Zealand. It is about the place in our heart and the effect that war has had on our families and our countries. Anzac Day is about going with your parents and grandparents to see the names of those in your family who have died in order that you and I can live free.

Those men and women who did not return have their names carved in stone on the memorials that stand in almost every town and city in New Zealand. They were the sacrifice that our small nation was forced to make as the price of liberty – and has continued to make in the 95 years since the landings at Gallipoli.

“But sacrifice means a willing giving up of something for a greater purpose. For the wives, children, parents, brothers, sisters and friends of those who died it was not a sacrifice that they made, but a loss that they suffered. As a nation we must also remember that life is irreplaceable and that although war might be the last resort for the preservation of independence, that decision must never be taken lightly.

We have been fortunate that few of our wars have been directly in defence of our shores and that war has not often come directly onto New Zealand territory.

“Since the Colonial Wars our military has been used to protect others, those who could not defend themselves alone. And this reflects the other obligation that we need to realise as a nation:

It is only when the strong do what is right that there can be justice, honour and true freedom in the world.

In 1915 New Zealand was one of the few mature democracies in the world. New Zealand as a country shouldered the responsibility that she saw as her obligation and sent men to the other side of the world to fight. 95 years later New Zealand is in a vastly different environment. New Zealand is one of over 250 independent countries and one of the smallest. Our ability to influence the world in real terms is minimal, but that has not diminished our desire to do what is right. New Zealand’s international reputation and credibility in the world is not based on our political, military or economic power, but on us consistently doing what is morally right – in stepping up to the plate and accepting our obligations as a responsible citizen in the world.

“We can be proud as a nation that we have not succumbed to the temptation of using our strength to impose conformity to our values onto others against their will. We can be proud as a nation that our military is seen as defenders of freedom and liberty, not as oppressors. Where New Zealanders have fought we have brought an end to tyranny, an end to fear and an end to suffering. There are memorials around the world that mark New Zealand’s dead in battles where our military forces have been used to protect others from nations that have sought to impose such oppression, either on other countries or their own populations.

We continue to shoulder this obligation today. This very day there will be New Zealand sailors, soldiers and airmen commemorating ANZAC Day in the Middle East, central Asia, Africa, South East Asia, and the Pacific.

The price of liberty is eternal vigilance

We stand here this morning to remember those who helped bring justice to the world and honour to our country.

On Anzac Day we remember three things:

• Those who went to war for our nation
• The honourable deeds that they accomplished
• But most importantly, we remember those that did not return.

Pericles, over two thousand years ago, spoke about those Athenians who had died defending their city. He said Take these men for your example. Like them remember that prosperity is for the free, but freedom is the sure possession only of those who have the courage to defend it.

“On Anzac Day we remember those who had that courage.”

In conclusion, I ask those gathered to consider for a moment the significance of the Last Post—the familiar bugle call whose closing bars give their valediction to the departing soldiers on days like Anzac Day.

Its origins date to the middle ages. The “last post” signalled that the last sentry point had been inspected of an evening, that everything was secure and therefore the bugle call marked the end of duty for the military day.

It is now played as a final farewell, symbolising the fact that the duty of the departed soldiers is over and that they can finally and eternally rest in peace.

Anzac Day is not a celebration. It is not a commemoration of victories that gained independence for our country, or a great battle that established our name on the international arena.

ANZAC Day for New Zealand is a time to remember and reflect on the sorrow, loss, sacrifice and obligation that is the price and cost of nationhood.”

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