Kiwi Veterans Rock All Over The World
Dave Dobbyn finds a loyal fan in a Bahraini Bar earlier this week
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The RNZAF 757's at Ohakea half an hour before taking off on the long haul to Brize Norton in Surrey
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A lucky and smallish number of New Zealand veterans were entertained by national treasure Dave Dobbyn as they traversed
the globe in order to attend the unveiling of the New Zealand memorial which will be dedicated by the NZ Prime Minister
in London's Hyde Park this weekend. Scoop had the good and somewhat bizarre fortune to espy Mr Dobbyn cranking out
stirring toons such as 'Stand by Me' in a Bahraini hotel bar backed up by a number of New Zealand veterans of World War
II , Korea and Vietnam.
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While Mr Dobby and the veterans cranked out the hits amid a sea of pricey pint glasses some either timid or very ironic
Kiwi public servants pondered as to the cultural sensitivity of the occasion. Fortunately for Middle Eastern
sensibilities this good ol' Kiwi knees up was performed in a slightly tacky sports themed bar rather than a holy mosque
so cultural sensitivity's were probably not strained too much.
The younger veterans filled up the middle of the NNZAF 757
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Sadly due to the Herculean value of the Bahraini Dinar some media were forced into early retirement after a lemonade and
Burger (not a lot of change from twenty US dollars). Other more intrepid media and veterans mooched their way to the
Bahraini Marketplace in 35 degree heat where fake watches and toy camels were waiting to be snapped up.
Coming together for the unveiling of the New Zealand memorial by the PM in Hyde Park this weekend are 32 veterans of
20th Century conflicts such as World War 2, Korea, the Malayan insurgency and Vietnam. The veterans have been chosen by
ballot to fly to London and attend the ceremony which will also feature the Queen.
Labour Cabinet Minister Judith Tizard and ACT MP Heather Roy are two MPs who have been accompanying the veterans on
their way to London – would Michael Cullen advocating a 25% flat tax see this happy scene repeated?
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As well as royalty the ceremony honouring New Zealand's contribution to keeping the world a generally nicer place will
also feature a number of politicians from across the political spectrum. Joining the PM and Judith Tizard from Labour
will be the leader of the Opposition Dr Don Brash, New Zealand First's Deputy Leader Peter Brown, Judy Turner from
United Future and newish territorial forces soldier Heather Roy of ACT - Scoop also understands that National's Veterans
Affairs spokesperson Katherine Rich will be at the unveiling ceremony.
ENDS