NEWS 6 <strong>Ashburton</strong> <strong>Courier</strong>, <strong>April</strong> <strong>21</strong>, <strong>2022</strong> www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz Show of respect for personnel MarcCalzada andBrodyn Gabitesfound friendship, unity and leadershipskills after joining the<strong>Ashburton</strong> Cadet Unit. The 17yearolds havebeen with theunitfor the pastfive years and havebothadvanced throughthe ranks to hold the title of staffsergeant. One of them will leadthe cadet unit in theAnzac Day dawn service ceremony at 6.30am.Itis consideredahugehonour. Cadets haveput in many hours trainingfor thedawn event, especiallycenotaph guard andflag guard rolesin the lead up to the day. It’s asolemn and ceremonious event where timedprecisionisimportant and trainingbecomessecond nature. Studying at <strong>Ashburton</strong> College, Marc and Brodyn joinedthe unit as Year 9 studentscoming from different placesintheir lives. Marchad relocatedwith his family to <strong>Ashburton</strong>from Aucklandand joined to meet others andexperience outdoor adventure. Brodyn sought similar adventure but alsofelt asense of duty. Now Year 13, the two look back ontheirtimewith fondnessatthe friendships they havemade, thesurvival skillstheyhavelearnedand the adventures theyhave taken part in.Ithas also been an honourtobeapart of a Marc Calzada, left, and Brodyn Gabites of <strong>Ashburton</strong> Cadet Unit. national body, which canopen careeropportunities. Theduo haveattended outdoor survivalcamps, carriedout bush craft training, visited defenceforce bases, flown on defence force aircraft including aNH90 helicopter andinlatter years attended Junior NCOcourses to develop theirleadership andinterpersonalskills. They sayits beenanhonour to be apartofthe unit, especially at formal remembrance servicessuch as Anzac Day. ‘‘I learnedalot aboutWorld War1(growing up),’’ Marc said. ‘‘Anditreallyopened my mindtothe sacrifices that alot of peoplehad to make for us today ... the conditions and everything theyhad to go through.’’ ‘‘FormeAnzac Day is about the sacrifices peoplemade and how despite those conditions people canshow through their humanity and work together,’’ he said. Brodynsays, ‘‘WhenIthink about Anzac Day Ithink about the sacrifices that occurred,and how so many sacrifices (and fatalities) since then have occurredlike in Afghanistan (as peacekeepers). Personnelfromthe New Zealand Defence Force have been used around theworld to help othersbuild their countries backup, he said. He had respectfor the armed forces andtheir crisis works includinghumanitarian efforts closertohome, including the aftermathofthe Christchurch earthquakesand in Mid Canterbury to help with flooding last year. They, along with hundreds of others will be on site, to rememberonAnzac Day. ‘‘We willbeshowing respect for all thosewho have come before us and all thosestill in service,’’ Marc said. The unit, which celebrates its 135th anniversary this year, is planningaformal, invitationonly dinner on July 2, and open day at the base for all past, presentcadets, leaders and supporters to attend onJuly 3. It is also an opportunity for new members aged Year 9and above to visit,although a recruitment drive will begin in Term Two. The unit, officially began on March 18, 1887, with the interest of 29 boys. It grew to 56 cadets once established underthe banner of <strong>Ashburton</strong> High School Cadets, which ran alongside the existing <strong>Ashburton</strong> Rifles and <strong>Ashburton</strong> Guards forces. ANZAC SERVICES Anzac Dayremembrance ceremonies in<strong>Ashburton</strong> include the dawn service at 6.30am and theCivicService, bothatthe <strong>Ashburton</strong> Cenotaph. There will be no cemetery serviceand fewer district services due tocovid. <strong>Ashburton</strong> RSA president Merv Brenton saidgroupsthat wouldnormally supplya wreath for the civicservice at 11amare asked to deliver named wreathstothe Linton Loungeatthe RSA on Sunday, <strong>April</strong> 24 between 1pm and4pm. Thecadets will laying all wreaths. Alternatively groups can lay their own wreathsafter thecivic service is completed, he said. Groups willassemble around the cenotaph,ratherthanin paradeformation,being mindful of others, wearmasks and maintaining social distancing. There werealso going to be fewer servicesheld in the surrounding districts. TheHinds servicewill be at the community hall, held outsidefrom 10am, andthe Rakaia service at the communitycentrewhere people are to assemble from 10am, service at 10.15am and a wreath layingservice will follow. An Anzac Day Servicewill also be held at the Ealing Hall, from 9.15am,followed by pot luckmorning tea. HoweverMethven, and Mayfieldand Districtshave cancelled theirservices.
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