New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel will join Kiwis and Australians around the world in places as diverse as Gallipoli, Jerusalem, Washington DC, Papua New Guinea, Canberra and Rarotonga on Anzac Day tomorrow.
NZ Defence Force representatives will also attend many of the dawn and civic ceremonies held at war memorials and town halls from Kaitaia to Stewart Island.
The Chief of Defence Force, Lieutenant General (LTGEN) Tim Keating, will attend the Dawn Service and the New Zealand Memorial Service at Chunuk Bair at Gallipoli.
LTGEN Tim Keating said, „On this day, the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, we commemorate those brave soldiers who fought and lost their lives at Gallipoli. We also join together to remember and honour the men and women who have served our country in past conflicts, and members of the NZ Defence Force who continue to serve our country today in New Zealand’s Navy, Army, and Air Force.”
NZDF will also be represented at various Anzac Day events in Belgium and France. The Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral (RADM) Jack Steer, will be the senior Defence Force representative at these commemorations which include a wreath laying ceremony at the New Zealand Memorial at Longueval and a dawn service at Le Quesnoy.
On Anzac Day there will be around 400 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed on operations, UN missions or exercises overseas. While it will be a normal work day for most, the Kiwis deployed will attend Anzac Day ceremonies in Afghanistan, Israel, Lebanon and South Sudan.
New Zealand Defence Attaches and military personnel will also attend services in the countries they are based including London, Singapore, Canada and Japan.
The Chief of Army, Major General (MAJGEN) Dave Gawn, will represent the NZDF at the national commemorations in Canberra, including the Dawn Service and National Commemoration. A contingent of 53 New Zealand Defence Force personnel will take part in these services, in reciprocation to the Australian Defence Force personnel that will be in Wellington.
In New Zealand the Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Mike Yardley, will attend the Dawn Service at the Auckland War Memorial where there is expected to be a large turnout of NZDF personnel.
The National Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National War Memorial in Wellington will be attended by Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short; Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore (CDRE) Dean McDougall; Deputy Chief of Army, Brigadier (BRIG) Phil McKee; and Deputy Chief of Air Force, Air Commodore (AIRCDRE) Andrew Clark.
Source / Author: NZDF
Photo: NZDF