For the last few years, I've struggled to commemorate Anzac Day. I've found some of the civilians who attend dawn services to be hypocritical. They'll gladly remember the soldiers who fought in wars 100 years ago, yet criticise current military service members and their overseas service, dismissing New Zealand's international efforts as "other people's wars".
I am the husband of a currently-serving soldier who's a veteran of several modern global conflicts. I've historically stayed home on Anzac Day morning because I've found attendance too tough a pill to swallow. It's terribly conflicting to try and remember soldiers from a century ago whilst your own soldier, sailor, or airman is currently deployed, in present danger, and the people around you at a dawn service don't seem to value it the same.
This year may signal a change. The theme of this year's poppy appeal, run by the RSA, was "not all wounds bleed". The goal was to shine a light on the non-physical injuries veterans and their families face.
My husband and I are real life examples of the people this campaign sought to create awareness about. Over the last few years, we have both (collectively and separately) suffered though post-traumatic stress, anxiety, anger, inexplicable blame, and what I can only describe as communication brick walls. There was a point during our "lowest low", two years ago, where we were both worried an overseas deployment had broken our bond and destroyed our marriage.
As part of a military community, this is a common theme amongst our peers. To find a service member and their partner who has NOT experienced the mental health challenges that spurn from being in the military is, frankly, rare. The physical and emotional stress we are all put under can be devastating.