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Taking the spirit of the Anzac soldiers’ service into everyday life was how we could honour them, the Millers Flat dawn service crowd heard on Saturday morning.
About 200 people gathered at dawn in Millers Flat on Anzac Day, more than double the village’s population of 90.
Roxburgh Millers Flat RSA vice-president Hazel Sycamore led the service, which was accompanied by the Roxburgh Pioneer Energy Brass Band.
Teviot Valley farmer and Central Otago District councillor Curtis Pannett spoke to the crowd after children from the Millers Flat Primary School and Roxburgh Area School delivered speeches.
Mr Pannett said while words like sacrifice, courage and service were associated with the Anzacs they were, largely, ordinary people, from small communities like Millers Flat who found themselves a long way from home.
"They weren’t trying to be heroes, they were just ordinary people asked to do extraordinary things, relying on the people beside them and doing their bit for King and country.
"Having each other’s backs, and the selflessness involved in fighting for the freedom and peace of others — that’s what defined them and it’s still one of the clearest measures of service."
The spirit of the Anzac sacrifices could be recognised every day by showing up, being dependable and doing your bit for the people around you.
Banding together when it counted was where the Anzac spirit still lived on; not just something to remember, but something to live by, a quiet standard we should hold ourselves to, he said.
"That’s how we honour them. Not just by remembering what they did, but by living out the same values — looking after each other, staying connected, and stepping up when it’s needed."