Anzac Day: Back from deployment

Caleb Amner can relate better than most to the way thousands of Kiwi soldiers felt as they went to war in Gallipoli, 97 years ago.

"I have a lot of appreciation for them, definitely," he said after the dawn parade in Hastings yesterday.

The 21-year-old private in the New Zealand Army, based at Linton army camp, Palmerston North, just returned from Afghanistan where he spent eight weeks on assignment.

"I got back last Sunday, so I have got five weeks left to spend with my family in Hastings."

Private Amner was one of 170 soldiers from Linton, Auckland and Christchurch who were sent to Afghanistan.

"Our sole purpose was just security," he said. "It wasn't the best time."

The most important thing he took away from the experience was comradeship. "You have got to stick by your friends."

While a trip to Afghanistan might have been offputting for someone so young, Private Amner was sure the army was where he wanted to be.