Retired warrant officer Jack Donnelly looks back at Anzac Day from the era of universally respected Great War veterans to more recent times featuring veterans from the more controversial Vietnam War . . .

The days when the Gisborne community witnessed hundreds of veterans marching have long gone.

With the passing of the years the ranks of our veterans have waned but the will and determination to march in the spiritual footsteps of those who no longer march, or for those who can no longer march, will be heard at the dawn parade.

Some may have to shuffle along but every veteran on parade has never forgotten their basic marching drill, albeit for most, more than 60 years ago.

Their movements may have slowed but they will march with heads held high, their shoulders back, puffing out their chests.

Medals will be seen and heard as they swing from side to side and the sheer pride of these veterans will be on display as they march 500 metres from the Gisborne District Council building to the Cenotaph.

The haunting sound of the trench whistle will reverberate around the Cenotaph area as it did in the trenches over 100 years ago when it was time for our soldiers to “go over the top”.

Moments before the whistle sounded soldiers had what was called their “quiet time” in which some would say a prayer, glance at a photo of their loved ones, think of home or simply make the sign of the cross.

“Fix bayonets, stand by.”  Then the whistle would blow and they knew it was time.

The three words that are immortalised into the history of trench warfare — “over the top” — were then commanded by the officer in charge.

These brave young men would scale the trenches and charge into No Man’s Land.

Many would be killed instantly and others would be wounded and die later.

Their mates would drag or carry them back to their trenches.

The lucky ones survived to fight another day.

On Anzac Day you may see our veterans acknowledging those servicemen and women who have passed by giving them the unique veteran salute.

They will place their right hand over their medals (not their heart).

The history behind this salute was created in London on Armistice Day 1920.

During a ceremony to unveil and dedicate the Cenotaph in Whitehall, a funeral procession accompanying the remains of the Unknown Soldier halted at the Cenotaph during the ceremony before proceeding on to Westminster Abbey for interment.

The official party included the Empire’s senior sailors, soldiers and airmen, many of whom were highly decorated — which included many Victoria Cross recipients.

The RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) conducting the ceremony decreed that all of them would salute the Cenotaph as they marched past by placing their right hand to cover their medals, signifying “No matter what honours you may have been awarded, they are nothing compared with the honour due to those who paid the supreme sacrifice.”

“We cover our honours, to honour theirs.”

Among the veterans’ platoon will be a few surviving soldiers of the Vietnam War. These men were never properly welcomed home.

They have developed an unbreakable camaraderie, which is there to this day.

Mike Subritzsky, the author of one of only a few books ever written about the Vietnam War, The Vietnam Scrapbook, — wrote, “. . . a war remembered for its savagery and complete disregard for human dignity, the New Zealand soldier acquitted himself well in battle and conducted his actions in combat with remarkable chivalry.”

“He fought within the rules laid down by the Geneva Convention, buried the dead or his fellow enemy the Viet Cong, whom they nicknamed “Charlie” ,whenever they could and treated prisoners of war in a humane way.

“There can be no greater tribute to these Vietnam veterans than for us to learn about them.”

Prior to Anzac Day, the Gisborne community always give generously to the RSA poppy appeal by buying a poppy. The proceeds go directly to support veterans and their families.

The red poppy symbolises remembrance, hope, peace and death.

It is said the red colour of the poppy represents the blood shed by our armed services in wars and conflicts.

When you lay a red poppy at the Cenotaph, on a coffin or place it into a grave, it represents eternal peace and sleep.

It is normally worn on your left side, close to your heart.