23 April 2012

Celebrating Our Veterans

I was privileged to ride in the Long Range Desert Group’s Freedom of the City Charter Parade through Papakura on the weekend.

The Long Range Desert Group was one of the first Special Forces units of the Second World War. Its members were experts in desert navigation and carried out covert patrols, intelligence missions and some combat operations from behind Italian lines – it was also active in Greece, The Balkans, Libya and Tunisia.

The Group was a unit of very brave men who faced incredible danger fighting behind enemy lines. The characteristics we associate with these servicemen – courage and determination, tempered with humour – are qualities all New Zealanders can aspire to.

I acknowledge the Long Range Desert Group Association and the Papakura RSA for its continued support of all our returned servicemen and women.

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Last week I officially opened the Papakura RSA Ashes Wall at the Gatland Road Cemetery.

With the original Ashes Wall now full, the new commemorative space means servicemen and service women, both past and present, and their spouses have the opportunity to have a special plaque at the cemetery.

I acknowledge the Papakura RSA executive committee’s support for the new space and Malcolm Glasgow, Grant Turner and the former Papakura Council for helping make the project a reality.

Our national identity has been shaped by the courage and commitment of our service veterans and I’m delighted the new Ashes Wall will honour their legacy.

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On Wednesday I will attend the Anzac Day Civic Service at the Papakura Cenotaph at 9am to honour our Anzacs and pay tribute to current members of our armed forces. The Papakura RSA will also host an Anzac Day Dawn Service at the Cenotaph at 6am.

Anzac Day is always a special day to honour our nations’ veterans and pay tribute to our New Zealand defence personnel who are currently deployed on peacekeeping operations, United Nations missions and defence exercises around the world.

Pride and respect for our Anzacs has always been strong in Papakura. On behalf of the community, I acknowledge the terrific job the Papakura RSA does in keeping the spirit of our fallen soldiers and veterans alive.

Hon Judith Collins
MP for Papakura

ENDS

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