30 DECEMBER 2005

National President looks forward to the Year of the Veteran

National President John Campbell's reply to the announcement of the Year of Veteran by the Minister for Veterans' Affairs Rick Barker at the Queenstown War Memorial on 30 December 2005.

At its 89th Annual General Meeting of National Council, held just prior to the recent election, the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association proposed to both the Government and the Opposition that 2006 should be declared the Year of the Veteran. Both agreed, and now the Government has delivered.

The Year of the Veteran provides all Kiwis with the opportunity to thank all New Zealand veterans, of all ages. This is a chance to salute their countless contributions and sacrifices – an opportunity to recognise and salute the inherent value of their service to our nation.

It is a year during which we can celebrate, honour, thank and remember the services so many Kiwi men and women have given to the country. Their service is our heritage.

2006 acknowledges New Zealand's veterans and their contribution to the shaping of our modern nation. It is about giving due recognition to the key role played by all servicemen and women in the defence of our freedom.

The Year of the Veteran comes at a time when we are bidding final farewell to a lot of our veterans. We should all strive to honour them in particular. Kiwis must never forget those who served in wartime and peacetime – this is not an option – it is our way of life.

The Year of the Veteran through a variety of ways will dwell on the nature of 'their service'. It will focus on the lives of those who 'did and who are doing the job', and the personal cost to ordinary people called upon to do extraordinary things. The Year of the Veteran is intended to promote a wider understanding of the legacy which New Zealand's servicemen and women, and those that supported them, have left us. So many of the characteristics manifest in our national identity have been reinforced, or forged during times of war, and perpetuated by those who returned – tenacity, inventiveness, mateship, courage and optimism. These qualities are integral to our national identity.

It is appropriate that we should celebrate the in 2006 – this is the year of the 90th Anniversary of that horrific battle, the Battle of the Somme, where so many young New Zealanders fell – never to return home. It is also the 90th Anniversary of the organisation founded by those who did return – the RSA.

The RSA was born in 1916 out of the need to ensure that veterans returned to civilian life with as little trauma as possible, and that those who were wounded in mind or body were adequately cared for, and compensated for their injuries. Of critical importance was the well-being of the veterans' families.

It is the RNZRSA’s solemn vow to continue into the future the ideals of its founding fathers to maintain and improve the quality of life of all who, in the service of their country, have donned the uniform of New Zealand's Defence Forces.

We gratefully acknowledge the declaration of 2006 as the Year of the Veteran.