Paying respect.

April 25th is Anzac Day. On this day we commemorate those who served in the wars. Both those who returned , and those who did not.Huge crowds turned out throughout New Zealand.In our small town there was a crowd of some thousands !  There was a march past of soldiers,firemen, returned servicemen,horses,one donkey,a pipe band,surf club and more. Then speeches notable for those from the head boy and head girl of the local high school.Then the laying of wreaths at the foot of the town's was memorial by many organisations. One of the schools had written excerpts of letters from the front within their wreaths. This one brought tears to my eyes:
"My dear love Naomi,
Guns are going off . I can't sleep. I had nightmares.I can't wait to see you. I really miss the smell of your fresh coked apple pies.
Oh,I miss you.
Love, Jake. "