The Ode of Remembrance says 'We will remember them'.
So Rapaera Tawhai decided to contact
a veteran of the war in the Bay of Plenty
and a grandchild who has just begun honouring the occasion
to gain their thoughts..
As the saying goes 'We will remember them' –
those who fought for Aotearoa.
Arthur Midwood a veteran of the 28 Maori Battalion,
says his memory is fading.
But he still has memories of WWII.
The hardships are still firm in his mind.
Despite that, Arthur came home alive and he's now 93 years old.
Hana Matene this is her first ANZAC dawn ceremony,
even though her own grandfather Sir Te Ahikaiata John Turei
served in WWII.
My grandfather didn't talk much about what they did there.
It was too saddening for him.
In 2003, Hana's grandfather died.
But she still remembers something
her grandfather told her about the war.
When the soldiers went to fight the men or boys were all shaking.
When my grandfather saw they were frightened,
he began to sing...
...to settle their spirits and prepare them for the task ahead.
Now, Hana says it's time to honour and remember the soldiers,
like Sir John Te Ahikaiata Turei.
Our family attend the Rewarewa dawn ceremony
and then return to our homestead to continue commemorations.
Lest we forget the likes of Arthur Midwood.
That is Hana's fear and why she commemorates ANZAC Day.
Rapaera Tawhai, Te Karere.