25 April 2014
HUNDREDS COMMEMORATE 99th ANZAC DAY AT DAWN
SERVICE
Hundreds of Australians, New Zealanders and Solomon Islanders gathered at the Cenotaph in the early hours of Friday morning to commemorate ANZAC Day. This year's service marked the 99th anniversary of the Gallipoli landing by Australian and New Zealand troops in the First World War.
Those who attended, including the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Frank Kabui, Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo and representatives from the diplomatic corps, paid tribute to the Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women who fought and died in Gallipoli and in other wars and peacekeeping operations.
Australian High Commissioner Andrew Byrne said the service in Honiara was an opportunity to recognise the sacrifice of men and women from all countries in the cause for defence and freedom.
“ANZAC Day is about remembering all those who have fought, endured, suffered and died for their countries and for freedom”.
“Today we especially remember the Solomon Islands veterans together with their Australian and New Zealand colleagues who fought bravely in the Second World War”.
“We will continue to remember their sacrifice so that we can live in peace and unity”, Mr Byrne said.
New Zealand High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw said the spirit of ANZAC, with its human qualities of courage, mateship, and sacrifice, continues to have meaning and relevance today.
“Today, the bond forged at Gallipoli in 1915 lives on in Australia and New Zealand’s cooperation with our Pacific partners in the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, an act of coming together in the spirit of mateship to support a neighbour”.
“On ANZAC Day, we do not seek to glorify war, rather we reflect on the contribution made by those who have fought in them to our way of life today” Ms Crawshaw said.
A catafalque party from the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and the Honiara Wesley United Church Choir supported the service of remembrance.