At the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month”¦
Some of us still pause to think of the importance of that day in 1918 and also to remember those who have served and died in military service over the years.
Some seek a quiet place to be at that time of reflection, and one of Tawa’s little-known monuments may just be that place.
Friday, 4th December 2015
The Wellington suburb of Tawa has a number of monuments, tucked away in corners to recall events in its history.
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The RSA Armistice Day monument sits quietly in a corner of Willowbank Reserve in Tawa where it has sat since 1993. A small brass plaque on the face of a tapered rock bears the words, “To commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the cessation of hostilities ”¦ and in memory of those who gave their lives for peace.”
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With the opening of the walkway which runs from Tawa to Porirua, the Armistice Day monument probably sees a lot more foot traffic these days. But it is so quietly placed, that few of the passers-by give it a second thought. Indeed it could just be a rock that was left there when the park was landscaped. Nicely in keeping with the wishes of many soldiers who came back from WWI and disagreed with money being spent on monuments instead of community assets like halls, schools etc.
The Porirua Stream deposited mud and debris around the monument’s feet during the flood of May 2015 but the rock held firm.
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The plaque’s message is simple and appropriate.
What a nice little monument.
It was a pity someone in Gisborne decided to scratch at our restored Cenotaph in the last few days.