Lest we forget

WORDS & PHOTOS: JULIA WADE

Undeterred by sudden heavy downpours, hundreds of locals and visitors showed up at east Kaiparas two main Anzac Day events on April 25, to honour those who still serve and to remember the many fallen who gave their all for peace and freedom.

Even before the auspicious day dawned, Alamar Crescent reserve became crowded with over a hundred locals lining the estuary road. A band of former service personnel proudly filed in to the accompanying sound effects of marching boots and echoing gunfire as fireworks lit up the approaching dawn.

Later in the day around 300 locals turned up to Hakaru RSA to pay their respects and watch representatives from local police, fire brigade, St John, community groups, Kaipara District Council, local schools as well as veterans from various services, walk the cross-lined path to lay wreaths, salute and pause to remember – ‘lest we forget’.