A little touch of home, in the form of handmade scarves and poppies, adorned current and former members of the New Zealand Defence Force at recent Anzac commemorations in Gallipoli.
More than three dozen scarves and poppies accompanied members of the New Zealand Defence force who travelled to Anzac Cove and Chunuk Bair to commemorate Anzac Day.
The black and white scarves, and those made out of Gallipoli wool, had been created as part of Operation Wrapped in Remembrance a project which creates, scarves, gloves, hats and beanies, lap rugs and baby blankets for those who have, and are serving.
While many of the Gallipoli bound items went to those current serving they also found veterans who were making the pilgrim to the scared sites including a man who walked from the Anzac commemorative site at Anzac Cove to Chunuk Bair.
This walk is two hour journey along steep and rugged tracks.
He had spent the night on the Gallipoli peninsula.
He said he was humbled being received at the top by Lieutenant Ben Beets and having his service recognised and then being
presented a scarf.
Warrant Officer First Class Erin Smith site liaison team leader said the veteran mentioned the trek was tough but nothing in comparison to what the soldiers at Gallipoli endured.
Smith said she personally found it an absolute honour and privilege to be given scarves to wear and represent Operation Wrapped in Remembrance.
‘‘The scarves are absolutely beautiful and knowing the wool came from Gallipoli made it even more special.
‘‘We wore our scarves the night before Anzac day where the Site Liaison Team spent the night on the peninsula. It was extremely cold, but an honour to receive personnel from Australia and New Zealand and share stories as to why they made the journey to Gallipoli.
‘‘Many people commented on our beautiful scarves,” Smith said.
“Having the honour and privilege to represent my family, my service and myself at Gallipoli has been the highlight of my career.
“To have the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors and feel the emotions from the surrounding environment was something I cannot express in words. I stood on the peninsula and visited all the special places on behalf of all those New Zealanders who will not be able to visit themselves.
‘‘It truly was a special moment that I will forever treasure,” Smith said.
The contingent commander of the group, Lieutenant Colonel Conor Yardley, a fourth generation NZDF member said leading the NZDF commemorative contingent at this most sacred of sites was ‘‘a great honour and privilege’’.
