Speech To Dunback Memorial ANZAC Service; Dunback Domain, Dunedin; Saturday, April 25 2009.

Veterans and citizens of Dunback, visitors young and old.

Good morning

To those that I am speaking to for the first time this morning - welcome.

To the many that have made the short journey from Palmerston to Dunback - thrice welcome for before - for your journey - and for now.

As I was writing this speech, I was listening to the music of Seals and Crofts. They were playing "We May Never Pass This Way Again". I don't intend that reflection in a negative way. More importantly, I hope that it means that our children and grandchildren will be able to grow up in towns and cities across New Zealand that have not lost a significant percentage of their fathers, brothers and sons in pursuit of the ideal of freedom.

This memorial lists the names of nearly fifty young men from the Dunback community who gave their lives, in the Boer War, World War 1 and World War 2. By any measure, that is a huge loss for any community to bear.

I wish to note the work of Ivan Ross - and not just because we were both Linton Camp-based field engineers. Ivan's grandfather served in the Boer War, and his father served in Crete during WW2. The immaculate state of the Dunback Memorial is testimony to the hard work and dedication of men like Ivan. The media stories are many and varied, of Ivan's daily visits here, and frankly, I don't care which shoulder the rake is carried on because engineers just get the job done. Ivan - I salute you. It's Kiwis like you that help to keep the flame of remembrance alive.

There is no doubt that every nation owes a tremendous debt to those that are prepared to fight for freedom. It is important that we also remember the many ways in which people serve this cause - the Armed Forces overseas and at home, the Merchant Navy, humanitarian organisations, those manning essential services like the railways and the mines, on which our forces rely, and all their families.

The old adage "They also serve who stay at home and wait" is very true. We must never forget the debt of gratitude that we owe the families of our servicemen and women and everyone that supports their efforts. When I farewelled the most recent contingent of NZDF personnel to Afghanistan just over a week ago I commented about the huge gap that would be left when their loved ones boarded the aircraft. If I were in Dunback farewelling troops to earlier operations I would have said exactly the same words.

Who do I think about during the ode? I think of my service mates and friends who are gone. I also think about the living, the many characters I have met in and out of uniform. Many of you standing in the parade today. Lest we forget ourselves. Good on you. And good on those who have served their nation and who have gone before us. It was - still is - and always will be all about one thing ... FREEDOM!

And the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

As the old Scottish saying goes ... whas like us? Damn few and they're mostly daid!

Lest we forget.