They shall not grow old
As we that are left grow old;
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
25 April 2020 - this was the first ANZAC Day since the first observed back in 1916 in New Zealand, that was not observed as in the 104 years before. That was the ceremonies and gatherings at RSA ( Returned Service Association) clubs and other clubs around the country.
New Zealand on 25 April 2020 was still in lock down, Level 4 because of the world wide COVID 19 Pandemic. At home - for all of us in New Zealand, except those working in essential services - people in Supermarkets, truck drivers, emergency services, medical staff, care givers in rest homes, farmers, food growers and other groups.
A new way for observing ANZAC Day and remembering members of our family. Some, whose lives were sacrificed during the wars since the South African or Boer War. World War One saw 18,500 lives lost by New Zealanders. Our soldiers returning to New Zealand in 1918 entered and with them, another influenza pandemic - what was named the Spanish Flu.
Our National RSA asked that we observe ANZAC Day by gathering in our " bubble" by our gateway or driveway at 6 am dawn. Where we could hear on the radio the last post being played and have a time of reflection for our own.
This year there were not the gatherings in our community halls at Whangamata, Hikuai, Tairua and Whenuakite, nor Pauanui Club. There was no marching up our main streets, nor gathering together, after laying of wreaths ceremonies for a good old community get-together. A good old - "chin wag" remembering those
who fought in those wars.
However there was a new way of remembrance and observing. Poppies - made from red shopping bags appeared on gateways, walk ways to the sea. Small poppies kept from previous years ( the RSA has done many Welfare activities as a result of Poppie Day - when one could donate money for a poppie)
Small poppies found their way into peoples windows facing the streets to join teddy bears of all shapes, sizes and colours placed in our communities windows for a " Bear Hunt. "
Yes - we will remember them and 25 April 2020 will go down in our memories as the year of COVID 19 when we did not forget to remember them.
