Anzac Day a 'day of disquiet', says Governor-General

5.00pm

Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright spoke of a "day of disquiet" as the country thought of young men and women serving in troublespots around the world, in her address today to the Anzac Day National Commemorative Service.

"Today is the day we grieve for all those New Zealanders who have died or been wounded, sacrificed to this deadly disease called war," she said at a wreath laying service at the National War Memorial in Wellington.

"Today is a day of many emotions, among them sorrow, guilt, pain and pride. It is also a day of disquiet, a day when we think of a new generation of young men and women who serve our country in nearly 20 places of conflict around the world, from the Solomons to the Middle East.

"Today we pray that our nation, our soldiers and our future generations will be spared the terrible fate of those New Zealanders who died for us and for our country. And today we renew our commitment to protecting and promoting peace here at home and in those places around the world where we work to help achieve that elusive dream," Dame Silvia said.

Anzac Day marked the Gallipoli campaign of World War 1, 89 years ago, in which the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps had suffered terrible losses.

In Gallipoli alone, 2721 New Zealanders died -- more than during the 25 years of fighting now known as the New Zealand wars. More than 4700 New Zealanders were injured, she said.

"What New Zealand didn't know at the time was that worse was to come. Other battles in World War 1, particularly on the Western Front, then World War 2, Korea, Vietnam, right up to recent times. The last New Zealand soldier to die in action, Private Leonard Manning, died in East Timor in July 2000," Dame Silvia said.

"Many families never got the chance to bury the bodies of their dead sons. Too many of our soldiers never returned home, even briefly, to say goodbye and to feel the ground from which they came."

At the Dawn Service in Wellington, Dame Silvia said the presence of so many children and young men and women at Anzac ceremonies was a stark reminder of the youth of those who had fought.

"Look at them and wonder at the fears of their families, at their terror as they faced fierce fighting and watched their friends die," she said.

"Today, on the morning of Anzac Day 2004, we remember New Zealanders killed in war. And we honour our returned servicemen and women.

"The story of New Zealanders serving their country is one redolent of both pride and sorrow. We are intensely proud of the heroism and bravery of those who fought. But there is sorrow at the loss of life, the loss of friends and family, the loss of so many good New Zealanders," Dame Silvia said.

"There are few New Zealand families that have not been touched by loss of life, or injury in these wars fought by young men and women often in places so remote, so exotic that many would not previously have heard of them.

"We therefore remember not only those who died, but their friends and comrades, their families, their sons and daughters, their fathers and mothers," she said.

"We remember in particular today our cousins across the Tasman with whom our soldiers fought side by side. Like us, they are today reflecting on the courage and sacrifice of those who fought for our countries, for our safety and for our peace."

- NZPA