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| 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.
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': The Anzac Parade Another ceremony takes place later that morning, with returned service personnel wearing their medals, and marching behind banners and standards. The veterans are joined by other community groups, including members of the armed forces, the Red Cross, cadets, and veterans of other countries' forces. New Zealand soldiers in Egypt commemorated the day with a service and the playing of the Last Post, followed by a holiday, including sports. In August 1916, after lobbying by returned soldiers, the use of the word 'Anzac' was prohibited for trade or business purposes, further enshrining the Anzac myth and the sacredness of the commemoration.
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