Young people honour previous generations

Media Release Wednesday 23 April, 2008

Young people honour previous generations on ANZAC Day

Over 315,000 young people make the effort to honour previous generations, and their actions that fought for freedom, on ANZAC Day.

Fourty-one percent of the young people in New Zealand attend dawn ceremonies, while even more wear poppies in the past according to the ASB Youth Confidence Index released last year.

New Zealand Aotearoa Adolescent Health and Development (NZAAHD) Executive Officer Sarah Helm said: ³When we asked young people why they support ANZAC Day, all young people considered their support is remembrance of the generation who made the country what it is.²

³The young people we spoke to believe it is their responsibility to mark the heroic efforts of their forbears,² she said.

Some of the comments NZAAHD has collected from young people around NZ:

Seventeen-year-old Suzanne Chok from Palmerston North said: ³We attend an ANZAC ceremony to show our support and remember the history behind the day. It is the little we give back to show we care and it is how we commemorate the life of heroes. They have done so much for our country, the least we could give them is a moment of our time to show that what they have done will not be forgotten.² Twenty-one-year-old Michelle Cooper from Wellington said: ³ANZAC day is a time to take a break from the business of everyday, and remember the New Zealanders who died at Gallipoli so many years ago. It's a day when I watch the sunrise at dawn and feel thankful that my friends and I don't face war because of sacrifices made in the past.²

Thirteen-year-old Melani Waanders from Whangarei: ³On Anzac Day we all get together to remember the ones who fought and died for us.²

Nineteen-year-old: ³This is the time to honour the ones who fought for our freedom, to preserve history, which we all benefit from for now and in the future² said 19 year old Samantha Raines from Thorndon.

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