Address at the Wreath Laying Ceremony Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand

Nga mate nga aitua ka tangihia e tatou i tenei wa. Haere. Haere. Haere.

The dead, those being mourned, we lament them now. Farewell. Farewell. Farewell.

Early today, at dawn in HellFire Pass, we remembered those who have fallen in war.

Now in bright sunlight, shining on these seven thousand graves, we see the scale of their sacrifice, made more awful by the knowledge that so many were so young - their adult lives only just beginning.

Today, as Governor-General of New Zealand, I am honoured to participate in this wreath laying service on behalf of the people and Government of New Zealand.

In his poem "The Soldier", Rupert Brookes speaks of 'that rich earth (in which) a richer dust (is) concealed."

Here at Kanchanaburi, the soil is rich beyond human measure. Each grave marks a life cut short.

And for each brother, son or father who lie here, families and loved ones mourned then, and mourn still today for the loss of those who never returned.

This is an important day for Australians and New Zealanders. Today, around the world we join with our friends to remember those who served, suffered, and sacrificed their lives in war.

There is no glory in war and there was none in the construction of the Burma Railway. Yet from the blackness of its history, there emerge vivid colours of human character and courage. Those who risked their lives to help their friends.

Those who kept their sanity and humanity intact in the face of awful adversity. Heroes named and unnamed, some known only to God.

Standing here, we know that peace was bought at great cost.

We know too that peace is fragile. It can be overpowered by bitterness and crushed by the denial of peaceful political process. Those who lie here, who rest in peace would, I am sure, want us to be the guardians of their legacy. And because the cost of their sacrifice was so heartbreakingly high, the greatest honour that we, their successors can do them, is to continue to do our utmost to prevent conflict and to extinguish the fires of war.

On this Anzac Day, we honour their sacrifice. On this Anzac Day, let us now renew our commitment to the peace which our friends and fore bears died for.

We shall remember them.

Nga mate nga aitua ka tangihia e tatou i tenei wa. Haere. Haere. Haere.