ANZAC DAY - 25th April
Introduction
Anzac Day in New Zealand is held on 25 April each year to commemorate
New Zealanders killed in war and to honour returned servicemen and women.
The day has similar importance in Australia, New Zealand's partner in
the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps at Gallipoli. The ceremony itself
has been continually adapted to the times, but has also steadily acquired
extra layers of symbolism and meaning.
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The
Dawn Service
A typical commemoration begins with a march by returned service personnel
before dawn to the local war memorial. Military personnel and returned
service-men and -women form up about the memorial, joined by other members
of the community, with pride of place going to the war veterans. A short
service follows with a prayer, hymns (including Kipling's 'Recessional'
or 'Lest We Forget'), and a dedication which concludes with the last verse
of Laurence Binyon's 'For the Fallen':
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They
shall not grow 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.
The Last Post is then played, followed by a minute's silence and Reveille.
A brief address follows, after which the hymn 'Recessional' is sung. The
service concludes with a closing prayer and the singing of the National
Anthem.
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