Marton's Duncan Hart is back home after attending the Battle of Monte Cassino's 70th anniversary commemorations.
Mr Hart, who served with the New Zealand Army for two-and-a-half years during World War II, joined about 40 other Kiwi veterans in Italy for a "marvellous" two-week trip.
The trip gave him the chance to meet other Kiwis who had fought in Italy.
"Plenty of stories were told," he said. "It was all go, really. Often by 5.30am we had our bags out the door. They packed the food into you all the time."
During the commemorations he also briefly met Prince Harry, whom he described as easy-going and natural.