RSA Bluff chairman Peter ‘‘Robbo’’ Robertson, who led the cleanup team said it was also an opportunity to upgrade and correct some of the service plaques.
Staff from Fulton Hogan, the Remembrance Army, Returned and Services Association and 14 Verdon College students had volunteered for the work on Friday, March 27.
‘‘We’re doing it because it is the right thing to do, he said.’’
In addition to the pre-Anzac Day cleanup, four corrected or upgraded service plaques were also unveiled to ensure long-overdue military honours were acknowledged.
Honours now recorded on four new bronze plaques included: Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM), Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Military Medal (MM) and a Mentions in Dispatches (MID), now properly recorded on veterans’ graves.
Verdon College head girl Maia Garret said helping with the cleanup was more than a community outreach.
‘‘These people sacrificed their lives for our future. This is just a wee token we can give back to appreciate what they've done for us.
‘‘It’s just crazy how much they gave up.
‘‘Even just giving up our time for a couple of hours makes a big difference.’’
During the process, students had access to military records.
‘‘We look up their service numbers and learn who they were and what they did — it makes it more real.’’
Awarua RSA president Ian Becker said he was encouraged by those who had turned up to help — especially the school students.
“I think they want to know and it’s marvellous to see young people coming on board.
“It’s what needed to happen. Us old buggers need to be handing over the reins to the younger ones.”
He was heartened by the students who were digging deeper into the background of the servicemen and women, especially when they discovered the plaque did not match the military honours given.
“To earn something like a Distinguished Conduct Medal and not have it recorded, that’s pretty harsh. They should be remembered.”
- by Toni McDonald
