Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2012 16:51:59 GMT 12
24 Battalion beats ultimate retreat KELSEY FLETCHER
Last updated 05:00 20/04/2012
An honourable service will see war veterans of the 24 New Zealand Infantry Battalion Association end their final pursuit.
The association will this weekend beat out its last retreat at the Auckland War Memorial Museum alongside the Governor General and members of the public.
The battalion was established in 1940 and around 3500 men served in it.
More than 500 men died over the next five years and at least 1500 were wounded.
The association was created in 1947 to maintain bonds forged during wartime and support returned soldiers and their families.
It has dwindled to just over 100 veterans.
Second generation member Wayne McDonald began volunteering in the association seven years ago and has formed tight bonds with the men who served with his father.
"I'm following in the footsteps of my veteran father," he says. Mr McDonald says volunteers have enjoyed contributing and representing their fathers.
"It's been an honour to have been asked to be alongside the veterans," he says. "The volunteers are really grateful that we have been able to help them."
Mr McDonald says the retreat is the end and it will be emotional.
"It is going to be historical because we are not sure any other battalion has closed this way," he says. "I believe that for the vets and their families it will be very emotional and especially for us members that have been working alongside them."
Association president Murray Adlington says the end is not something to be sad about.
"We are holding the retreat because our vets have gradually been decreasing. About four years ago we brought in the second generation members and they have kept it going but we realised it is a big effort on their part and we dont want to impact on them any further."
Last updated 05:00 20/04/2012
An honourable service will see war veterans of the 24 New Zealand Infantry Battalion Association end their final pursuit.
The association will this weekend beat out its last retreat at the Auckland War Memorial Museum alongside the Governor General and members of the public.
The battalion was established in 1940 and around 3500 men served in it.
More than 500 men died over the next five years and at least 1500 were wounded.
The association was created in 1947 to maintain bonds forged during wartime and support returned soldiers and their families.
It has dwindled to just over 100 veterans.
Second generation member Wayne McDonald began volunteering in the association seven years ago and has formed tight bonds with the men who served with his father.
"I'm following in the footsteps of my veteran father," he says. Mr McDonald says volunteers have enjoyed contributing and representing their fathers.
"It's been an honour to have been asked to be alongside the veterans," he says. "The volunteers are really grateful that we have been able to help them."
Mr McDonald says the retreat is the end and it will be emotional.
"It is going to be historical because we are not sure any other battalion has closed this way," he says. "I believe that for the vets and their families it will be very emotional and especially for us members that have been working alongside them."
Association president Murray Adlington says the end is not something to be sad about.
"We are holding the retreat because our vets have gradually been decreasing. About four years ago we brought in the second generation members and they have kept it going but we realised it is a big effort on their part and we dont want to impact on them any further."
