Letters to the editor

No – I think as ratepayers and Kiwis we should have accessible news. We already pay for internet and data. I’d much prefer it to be free for all.

No, I don’t pay. Information we should need to know should be available for everyone to read whether they do or not. How else would people be informed?

The RSA formed in New Zealand in 1916 by returning ANZACs during World War One to provide support and comfort for service men and women and their families. This holds true today.

and been part of things we couldn’t imagine. Some injuries we physically see, the most is in the mind coming out in dreams, certain sounds can cause reactions, deterioration in health and more.

War Memorial London Quay at 0600 hours followed by 28th Māori Battalion Pouwhenua Ceremony a short stroll from the War Memorial on our foreshore.

No. I do look at news online but only at the free articles. The sports and things that I follow run their own media releases that are freely available. I don’t really see a point because it might be another month until there’s a news article I’m actually interested in which would be a waste.

Yes, but it needs to be better journalism and have less adverts to be worth my while. I used to have a subscription but lots of the news articles being released were just headline grabbers with pretty poor content or just about ridiculous topics I wasn’t interested in.

The RSA is one of the largest voluntary support organisations in New Zealand with remembrance support and advocacy at its core. Since the end of the Vietnam War, we have had military personnel operational in the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, East Timor and the war on ISIS. Since 1990 we have had 61,000 enlisted into the military - of those 13,000 have been operational. Like their forebears they are veterans being part of a unique group that have put their young lives on the line, and some have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country to hopefully give us citizens of the world peace. These very brave people of all campaigns over time have seen

The impact of their campaigns seldom spoken of by the veteran to a close fellow vet that went through this with them but in the main silence, never spoken of.

Not only are veterans affected but their loved ones. Their beautiful person has come home changed, and life is vastly different. Reaching out for help is exceedingly difficult for most but there is help with every RSA having a support person.

The 21st of April is Poppy Day street appeal. This is the RNZRSA’s main fundraising activity, and donations collected on this day help to improve the health and well-being outcomes of all Veterans of all ages.

Picton’s ANZAC Day dawn service is held overlooking the foreshore and harbour at our

While we gather on the 25th of April at our War Memorial overlooking the beautiful Picton foreshore and harbour in remembrance and paying honour and respect to our veterans past and present, pause a moment and ask the questions; how can I help, or how can I say thank you?

Yes, you can - join and support your local RSA thus hopefully ensuring the future of our struggling RSAs nationally and in turn they can continue their work in remembrance support and advocacy, looking after veterans and their families and providing a gathering place for them and family and friends now and in the future.

Picton RSA wishes to thank our Anzac Day sponsor’s Fresh Choice Picton and Lion Breweries, with special thanks to our staff and volunteers.