Rewards for the early rising –

Being glad that Maj. Gen. Mateparae’s speech is dignified sad and proud in the right measures;

Remembering my father, and our trip with him to the 50th commemoration of Monte Cassino. He talked freely for the first time about his war (“probably the best time of my life, though I always feel I should be saying it was later with [my mother] and you children… I didn’t talk about it earlier because you had to be there to understand and you get too tired of people jumping to conclusions”) ;

Meeting Sue Kedgely’s  97 year old father, who was wounded, captured, escaped from an Italian prison, and hidden by villagers for 6 months before rowing to freedom, and seeing her unequivocal pride in him;

Wondering whether there is a national style czar who could tell us all when it is OK for children and grandchildren to wear their forebear’s medals – Knowing it should be the right breast is not enough. So far I could not do it for it seems corny for adults, yet to wear them is truly to honour our parents and grandparents.

Being reminded again that we need a better national anthem, when I see almost none of the gathering singing.