The “service” by NZ soldiers during WW1 and WW2 may have been a voluntary one that some followed to contribute to, but there was also conscription, pressuring people of certain ages to fight, and that for EMPIRE and the ones in charge of it to be protected, before anybody else.

Here is some relevant info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_military_training_in_New_Zealand

“World War One”

“Public opinion had tended to harden against conscientious objectors as World War One approached, as the derisive term “conchies” emerged.[29] Alternative service suggested by the government was generally rejected by the public in favour of punishment and imprisonment.[30] In 1915 Britain began to move towards conscription,[31] while New Zealand thought the need unlikely.[32] By early 1916 Britain had introduced conscription, and debate in New Zealand papers was generally overwhelmingly in favour of following suit. Those opposing it were considered unpatriotic and shirkers by the general public.[33]”

“World War Two”

“In World War II difficulties in filling the Second and Third Echelons for overseas service in 1939 and 1940 and the Allied disasters of May 1940 led the government reluctantly to reintroduce conscription in June 1940 by the National Service Emergency Regulations of 18 June 1940, made under the Defence Act and the Emergency Regulations Amendment Act of 31 May. Men aged between 18 and 46 again became liable to be called up by ballot.”

So many were pressured to fight, and if they resisted, they faced humiliation and much worse. With the rare exception people went to war, and chose to kill others, rather than be killed themselves.

I ask, how “heroic” is that a deed?

Also to consider, the “service” for the Empire, as that is what it was about, most certainly with Gallipoli in WW1:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anzac_Day
https://nzhistory.govt.nz/war/anzac-day/introduction

With all the reflections and hurrah by some, I note, there is very little time and words spent on those conscientious objectors, who were in my view courageous to resist the massive state and general public pressure, to go to war.

So we are basically remembering people that were forced to die “serving”, or in high numbers come back as invalids and mentally ill, i.e. suffering post traumatic stress disorder and the likes.

I hear and note very little being talked about that on ANZAC Day.

If you think it is worth remembering the true sacrifice of fighters, then you may as well accept justification to remember this fighter against oppression, corruption and dictatorial brute force also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Che_Guevara

He did it voluntarily, and without being pressured or forced, truly with courage, I consider.

When I first arrived in NZ (as a young teenager) the country was embroiled in the Vietnam fiasco. ANZAC Day celebrations started to be used to point out the utter wrongness of that war.

I, and thousands of other young politically aware people (including your goodself!) took part in demonstrations and experienced the fanatical authoritarian response to the freedom of speech we were practicing that these soldiers had supposedly died for.

The Kiwi public were so thick they couldn’t even see the black irony of ‘died for our freedom’.

It has always been and will always be appropriate to put different views forward on ANZAC Day.

In fact it is vitally important…

John In Auckland, A brilliant post. What caught my attention was the fact that America wants de-nuclearize North Korea, just America wanted to stop all other countries from producing nuclear arms back in 1946. Russia at that stage didn’t have any nuclear weapons and called for America to destroy their nuclear arms first before making a call other countries that had none. America balked at being told what to do. And today, we still have America telling everyone what to do and if they don’t comply they’re going to be bombed. That’s America’s answer to everything.
And as for the recent Five Eyes issue, America must really think New Zealand citizens are stupid. We know that three arrivals for their spy meeting have landed, one in Queenstown, one in Invercargill, and another in some other town down in the South Island that slips my mind. I reckon their meeting is in connection with an American ex-Iraqi war advisor by the name of Dick Allen, who lives in the Queenstown area of the Gibbston Valley. I believe there is some form of connection, and I think that these spy meetings are about to set up American bases as a stepping stone for America to flex its muscles at North Korea from a closer point of a standoff in preparation for a jump off point.
Regardless, America is out for total control and domination, and our politicians have allowed themselves to fail the people and follow the warlords. So yes, we should use the consequences of political failure in warfare as a line to hold politicians accountable in their part at leading human lives to die for any politically based war of power and domination, while dismissing world peace from their agendas.

Francesca, I like your point. It’s funny how innocent victims are named, yet the NZDF and English both have great difficulty in naming the nine insurgents. Either these two incompetent people have a memory problem in providing such information, or they are telling lies, as has been proven.

Glorifying war and encouraging perpetual military funding and perpetual war should sicken us all. We light a candle on Anzac day to remember our family members who died needlessly. Anzac day is a sad day and waging peace instead of waging war should be our focus and motto.

I notice you left out this critical bit;

Those around him are not strangers to Trump: he hand-picked every one of them. They are his appointees.

Do you contest that?

At least Newshub and 3News showed the piece where Peace Action Wellington staged a silent protest at the ANZAC Day memorial service there, but as some attendees took objection, that got all the attention.

http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2017/04/wellington-anzac-dawn-service-marred-by-protest-dispute.html

Motto: “We have OUR ANZAC DAY memorial service, protests here are VERBOTEN!”

Frank: “I keep hearing that narrative; that Trump has been “captured” by those around him.
Not for one millisecond do I buy that.”
You may be unwilling to accept it, but that’s what has happened. The evidence is there for all to see.