Memories

At the Wellington Cenotaph on 25 April I accepted the wreaths on behalf of the City Council and the Wellington Returned Servicemen’s Association.

This was the 19 th yesr I had carried out this duty.

         This year we had wreaths from 39 groups of people in memory of thousands who died in the many wars we had been involved in.

         This memorial service was going on in every city, town, and village – all over the country.

         Most families had lost friends and family members in a war.

         I am old enough to have lost two of my scouting mates in the air force in the Pacific during the Second World War. A cousin lost her husband in the Middle East.

         We owe a great debt to the people who died so we could live in peace – the purpose of war is peace.

         What a futile activity is war.

          We commemorate  ANZAC day, the day we invaded Turkey.  We also invaded Samoa and now more Samoans live in New Zealand than in Samoa.

         Very often the loser comes out better than the winner, especially after the Second World War – not the First.

         Many soldiers returning from the war were so traumatized they rarely spoke about their experiences.

         Family members wishing to learn more can if they find the military number of their relative – available from Military Headquarters. The number is also engraved on the side of many of the earlier medals. Most likely it can be found online these days.

         The files can be inspected at the Archives in Wellington. They can be very revealing. I noted my grandfather returned from leave late one day and was confined to barracks as a punishment  – he was 41 at that time and had three children.

         Every person is unique and everyone has a story to tell. Make sure you tell your story to your family before it’s too late. Otherwise, your grandchildren will be saying  “Why didn’t I ask those questions when they were still living?”

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“Life is not a dress rehearsal. it’s the main event – you don’t get another chance.”

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