It was a very good turn out at the Armistice Day Service yesterday in central Christchurch with a very good turn out. We had 3 MPs (Nicky Wagner representing the Government, Clayton Cosgrove and Megan Woods); David Eddington representing the Ambassador and Government of the USA; Barry (BJ) Clark, National Vice-President RNZRSA; Pat Duggan, President Canterbury District RSAs; the Mayor Lianne Dalziel and almost all of the City Councillors; the Honorary Consuls for France, United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, Cyprus, Malaysia; representatives of the RNZ Navy, NZ Army, NZ Police, St John Ambulance, NZ Fire Service and a very good crowd of Veterans and members of the public. The Service was led by our Treasurer, Paul OConnor and the wreathes were blessed by the Venerable Linda Patterson, Acting Dean of Christ Church Cathedral. Speeches were made by our President, Pete Dawson representing Christchurch memorial RSA, Nicky Wagner MP representing the Government and Mayor Lianne Dalziel representing the city of Christchurch. The Ode to the Fallen was said in Maori by Tau Sheehan and in English by Bryan Shankland. The Christchurch Memorial RSA provided a light lunch and refreshments immediately following the completion of the service and we wish to thank the Bealey Speights Alehouse and the Norton family for their continued support of our RSA ever since we lost our home to the 22/02/2011 earthquake. Christchurch Memorial RSA President’s Armistice Day Speech Today we gather together again at the foot of the statue of a true Canterbury and Christchurch Hero, Sgt Henry Nicholas, VC, MM who gave his life in France during World War One on the 23 October 1918 twelve days before our New Zealand Forces captured and liberated the French town of Le Quesnoy on 4 November 1918 and 19 days before the signing of the Armistice to end hostilities of that war and the act that we commemorate today. Sgt Nicholas VC was only one of the 18,500 New Zealand soldiers, sailors, airmen and nurses that sacrificed their lives during that so-called “Great War – The War to end all Wars” and it is fitting that we commemorate all of those sacrifices here today on this, the 95th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, at this place and at this time. Similar Parades and Services are being held at this time and on this day not only throughout New Zealand but also throughout the Commonwealth of Nations and Europe in remembrance of those who gave everything to ensure that we enjoy enduring freedom. On the 4th of August next year (2014) we will commemorate the commencement of hostilities that became known as World War One, the so-called “War to End All Wars”. This commemoration will signal the beginning of a 5 year period of commemoration and remembrance, the most significant event that any of us here today will ever experience in our lifetime. The WW100 commemoration will cover every major battle and engagement by our New Zealand armed forces throughout that tragic war that saw the sacrifice of the lives of so many of our young men and women on the opposite side of the world. It will culminate 5 years to the day from this day and this time on 11 November 2018 with the commemoration of the centenary of Armistice Day 1918 when, at 11:00 hours on the 11th day of November 1918, some semblance of sanity and reason was returned to the World with the signing of the Armistice and the ending of hostilities that had commenced 5 long and tragic years before. These commemorations will also celebrate. They will celebrate the coming of age of our country, the nationhood of New Zealand cemented by the courage and valour of our forces through that tragic war and the sacrifices that they made so that we will continue to enjoy the freedoms that we hold so dear today. We at Christchurch Memorial RSA will again, as we have done since our formation on 22 December 1915, host these commemorations here in the centre of our City, and hopefully it will be back at our rightful place of remembrance at a fully restored Bridge of Remembrance. In that light, I wish to express our most sincere appreciation to Downers Ltd for the respect and courtesy that they have shown us towards today’s commemoration by voluntarily ceasing all work on the Bridge of Remembrance for the duration of this service and for their attendance here today with us as a mark of their respect for those for whom the Bridge on which they are working, was built. I would like to finish this short speech by reading a poem that I came across the other day during my research for today’s speech. It is a poem that has touched my heart, not simply because of what it says, but also because of the fact that it was written by one so young, yet one so understanding of what it must have been like for those Veterans who came home so long ago having gone through the tragedy and horror that is war and having left so many of their friends and family members behind on foreign soils so far from home for ever. WHO ARE THESE MEN? By British student Jodie Johnson, aged 11 years. Who are these men that march so proud? Who quietly weep, eyes closed, heads bowed? These are the men, who once were boys Who missed out on youth and all its joys. Who are these men, with aged faces? Who silently count the empty spaces? These are the men, who gave their all. Who fought for their country, for Freedom for All. Who are these men, with sorrowful look? Who can still remember the lives that were took? These are the men, who saw young men die. The price of Peace is always High. Who are these men who, in the midst of pain, Whispered comfort to those they would not see again? These are the men, whose hands held tomorrow, Who bought back our Future with Blood, Tears and Sorrow. Who are these men, who promise to keep alive, Alive in their Hearts, the ones in Deaths Sleep? These are the men, to whom I promise again Veterans my Friends, We Will Remember Them! Lest We Forget Thank you.
Posted on: Mon, 11 Nov 2013 20:46:58 +0000
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