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| The Cenotaph, dedicated to "Our Glorious Dead" |
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| "Pause To Remember" the fallen of WWII |
This wall is dedicated to those who died during WWII. There are other walls for other conflicts.
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| War Horses are seldom acknowledged |
The plaque here reads:
“WAR HORSE. To commemorate New
Zealand’s gallant war horses who served so bravely overseas in the South
African War 1899-1902 and the Great War 1914-1918. They suffered wounds, thirst, hunger, and
weariness almost beyond endurance, but they never failed. They numbered more than 18,000. They did not come home. We will remember them.”
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| The Spitfire bomber has become part of national legend |
This Spitfire Mk XVI plane commemorates “The sacrifice,
courage and fortitude shown in the air and on the ground by men and women who
served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force in all theatres of war 1939-1945 in
defence of our freedom.”
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| Remembering the New Zealand Navy |
The anchor comes from the New Zealand Navy Leander-class
frigate HMNZS Waikato, which was
decommissioned in 1998 after 32 years of service.
It had a special association with Hamilton, as the city is the main
urban area of the province of Waikato.
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| WWII Artillery Gun |
This gun is described as a “BL 5.5 Inch Mk3 Artillery
Gun.” My father was a gunner for part of
the time he served in WWII and I wonder if he helped fire one of these.
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| River bank footpath |
The Park connects to the walkways that follow the Waikato
River. It was very peaceful down here,
and I sat for a while just contemplating life – as you do.
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| The Waikato River |
I hope this post hasn’t been too depressing. I feel it is important that we remember those
who died or suffered so that we can enjoy the freedom we have to live the lives
we do. And this Memorial Park is a
fitting place to do that as one wanders around, as well as enjoying the beauty
of the Park itself.
Freedom should never be taken for granted,
Margaret.
I love the war horse memorial. I have only had a quick lunch stop at the cafe in the Gardens in spite of the fact that my late husband was born there and we visited on many occasions. The park looks lovely.
ReplyDeleteNot at all depressing. I think like you, that it is important that we remember those who died for our freedom...it is too easily forgotten about nowadays. Some really lovely memorials in a lovely setting. Thank you for sharing Margaret.
ReplyDeleteIt is not depressing, but it is sobering. Some lovely memorials in the park and I'm glad to see that the war horses haven't been forgotten. An ideal place for quiet thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt will be a wonderful time in the human experience if we ever get to a point where we no longer have to remember war and the deaths of young people.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, David.
DeleteI find such a post up lifting. The horse statue is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLest we forget.
It looks like a very nice memorial park where one can walk around thinking of those who have fought for freedom.
ReplyDeleteThat park looks like a quiet place to walk and reflect on how much war takes from us in terms of people, horses and so much more.
ReplyDelete