Video: Anzac Day Service at Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
The sun came out and the wind held off for the Anzac Day Service at Hawke's Bay Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Hastings this morning.
The service was based around the theme 'the price of citizenship' and lead chaplain of the hospital's chapel and MC for the event Rev Jeannine Epplett opined about what the Anzac's did for New Zealand through their actions and bravery.
However, the stand out speech from the service was from the hospital's pou whirinaki John White, who through the story of the Māori Battalion told the story of the price that the Anzac's paid for our citizenship in 2024.
"The price of citizenship encapsulated the spirit that motivated the men of the 28th Maori Battalion to defend their country as a matter of duty and obligation," White told the crowd as he told stories of incredibly brave soldiers actions that secure Māori that citizenship.
It was a beautiful and special service at a holy and historic place for Hawke's Bay, reminding all attendees not to take their freedom for granted.
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit,
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill; Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres,
There is music in the midst of desolation
And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted;
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.
For the Fallen by Laurence Binyon. Source: The London Times (1914)
