A sunny morning brought out a huge crowd. Cromwell RSA President Denis Ryan, who has led the organisation for nine years and served in the army as an engineer between 1971 and 1974, said he was enormously pleased with the turnout and that the day was a reflection of what the whole community had pulled together to achieve. "Couldn’t have got much better. But couldn’t fault it, it was a huge community effort," he said, acknowledging contributions from across the community, including the local Men’s Shed for their work making and restoring the white crosses on display.
In his address Mr Ryan spoke to the weight of what the day marks. "The cost of war is not measured in numbers, but in names."
Retired television presenter Peter Williams also addressed the crowd, speaking to the profound impact the wars have had on New Zealand and how Otago in particular has long honoured that remembrance, with around 180 cenotaphs standing across the region.
Mr Ryan said seeing young families at the new site meant everything. "Seeing mums and dads with young children. And that’s what it’s about. The young people are a huge part because they’re the future of this."
He noted Cromwell’s strong connection to its military past. "It is a big part of our community. Has been for a long time. Because we have 176 ex-service people buried in our cemetery, which is a lot, and a lot of them were Cromwell people."
At the service was 89 year old Robert Richards, who completed compulsory army conscription between 1955 and 1958, serving over two decades in the national service. He still knows his military number — 927018 — by heart.
The service was also attended by Second Lieutenant Shane Martin, platoon commander for the 6th Platoon, Otago Southland Company, who carried out several services throughout the day. "It’s a chance to come out and remember those who came before us, but also try and step into those shoes and honour them. We need to remember the sacrifice they paid so we can have the lives we have today."
Rev Fr Martin Flannery of The Irish Martyrs parish in Cromwell attends the local service each year, as well as those in Wānaka and Tarras. He said it was a privilege to witness the community come together.
His grandfather served in World War 1 and lost two brothers in the conflict.
Mr Ryan said the day captured exactly what ANZAC is for. "We have to keep remembrance alive. And we see that in the younger generations too, it’s just amazing to see everyone gathered here today."
