Respectful Attendees At ANZAC Services

The support for ANZAC Day continues to grow across the region with thousands of people today not allowing inclement weather to prevent them from attending services.

From Ngatea to Mercury Bay, Kerepehi to Pauanui, and Kaiaua to Tapu, people of all ages, many dressed in military uniforms or wearing their own or family medals, took the time to stop, hear the last post and ode of remembrance.

A respectful mood was present at all dawn services which began the 109^th ANZAC Day celebrations acknowledging the 30,170 New Zealanders who have lost their lives fighting in overseas conflicts.

Later in the morning civic services were held at several locations including Paeroa and Thames along with services at many local communities such as Coromandel Town, Matarangi, Hahei and Kaihere.

One of the services attended by CFM with an Army veteran, was the Whangamata Dawn Parade, where the increase in numbers were noted, people standing both on the beach and its foreshore.

At Pauanui more than 1000 people were estimated at the dawn service.