Te Puke honoured its old soldiers and looked to its future in a hometown civic ceremony at the War Memorial Hall today.
Five former military vehicles lead the parade, carrying veterans for whom the walk from the Post Office to the hall was a few steps too far.
"We've lost a fair few vets in the past 12 months," said Te Puke RSA president Colin Peake as he was organising the military convoy, leaving from the resited RSA club's premises, shared with Te Puke Citizens Club.
The fine but cool and windy morning drew a crowd onto Jellicoe Street where the ranks followed the Te Puke and District Highland Band, with about two dozen former service men, current armed forces personnel, emergency service personnel, cadets and members of St John and Red Cross corps, Scouts and Guides, school children.
Speakers this year included the president of the Citizens club Mark Fagan; Western Bay Mayor Ross Paterson, Anglican vicar Ruth Dewdney, head pupils from Te Puke High School and Intermediate.
