Taupō District Anzac Day commemorations, essential workers hailed

THE ANZAC SPIRIT: Returned servicemen and women at the Taupō service, Anzac Day 2015. Photo / Viv Needham

In a day of remembrance, Anzac Day 2020 will be a day to remember.

Due to Covid-19, Anzac Day celebrations for the Taupō District have been cancelled.

In place, Pakeke Lions are inviting people to commemorate Anzac Day 2020 by standing in their driveway at home to observe two minutes silence at 11am on Saturday. Taupō Pakeke Lions president Ian Triscott said this year there are new arrangements due to everyone being in lockdown.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM: Taupō centenary dawn service marking World War I, 25 April 2018. Photo / NZ Herald

"We will be standing in our driveways, doorways, or balconies at 11am and will observe two minutes' silence in remembrance of all those who have served in past world conflicts," said Mr Triscott.

LEST WE FORGET: A New Zealand Army soldier at the Anzac Day Civic Service at the Taupō Cenotaph.

He also made special mention of all the essential service workers during the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown,

LEST WE FORGET: Pakeke Lions members Bob Flynn and Robin Boocock, (both deceased) taking up the poppy collection in Taupō. Photo / Supplied

There was no poppy appeal this year, and Mr Triscott said Pakeke Lions club members are drawing or printing poppies and attaching them to prominent places in their homes so they can be seen from the street. He invites people in the Taupō district to make their own poppies this year.

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM: Marian Robertson grows Flanders Fields poppies in her garden and captured one in full bloom for Anzac Day 2017. Photo / Marian Robertson

"We may not be selling poppies this year but we can still celebrate service people, both in the military and those retired, some still living and some gone before us.

"In commemoration and thanks, let's fill our windows and letterboxes with poppies to mark Anzac Day 2020."

Mr Triscott said although people will not be at the Cenotaph this year, they can all still spend a little time reflecting on the sacrifices made by our forebears.

HONOURING THE SACRIFICE: In 2015, Mountview School had a special student-organised Anzac commemoration.

With school age children learning from home this year, many households have been making Anzac biscuits, creating Anzac wreaths and making homemade poppies.

A virtual Anzac Day dawn service will be run this year by NZ Defence Force and RSA National.

People are invited to stand at 6am and tune in via the radio or internet for an official broadcast. The service will include playing the

Last Post

, the

Ode of Remembrance

, national anthems and an address by Ron Mark, Minister of Defence and Minister for Veterans. More information is at www.standatdawn.com

2019 Anzac Poem by Taupō & Tūrangi Weekender reader Joan Miles

ANZAC

We gathered at the cenotaph -

the smell of flowers,

the flag half mast.

We gathered in a solemn hush

with wide-eyed children whispering,

Scouts and Guides and soldiers fresh

marching and saluting

and veterans and older men

with handkerchiefs and medals.

"Abide with me" we sang.

Were those we remembered
watching us from somewhere,
with worn-out boots,
tattered bloodstained uniforms
and tired frightened eyes,
mourning the futility of war
across the years
and were the drops of rain that fell -
could they have been
their tears?