Foss Craig: General DebateText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeFoss Craig: General Debate[Sitting date: 25 March 2015. Volume:704;Page:2587. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon CRAIG FOSS (Minister of Veterans’ Affairs):In just 1 month from today we will be commemorating 100 years since the New Zealand Anzac troops came ashore at Gallipoli. In just 1 month today it will be the centenary. As everyone in this House knows the Gallipoli centenary is a hugely significant event not only for New Zealand and for our good Australian mates but of course for our friends in Turkey as we all commemorate evaluate and have another look at the conflict of 1915.I will be attending the Gallipoli commemorations along with our Prime Minister and 2000 other New Zealanders. I actually was there about 2 months ago and I can categorically state that it is a very special personal experience and place for any New Zealander—and I am sure for any Australian and Turkish person as well. It is an extremely special place for understanding who we are as a country why we are the people we are and why we have this great relationship with our friends the Aussies. We can give them a hard time but when push comes to shove we stand side by side with them in times of conflict and when necessary. The building of the learning about and the beginning of our nationhood—about just what it means to be a Kiwi—that comes through louder every year as we see more people more younger New Zealanders at Anzac commemorations around our country. I personally think that as well as respectfully looking at the sacrifice made by so many New Zealanders at the time many of whom were about the same age as many of the schoolkids who go to these commemorations are it is perhaps a bit of a search as to who we are as a nation and what formed us.I have had the absolute pleasure today of hosting Ahmet Cinar the Governor of Turkey’s Çanakkale Province who is currently visiting New Zealand. I spoke and met with the Governor as he hosted me in Çanakkale Gallipoli a couple of months ago and I can assure you that we have friends in Gallipoli looking out for and looking after and treasuring that very very special part of the world. I cannot stress enough the cooperation collaboration and the desire for a very successful Anzac service particularly this year that will enjoin the cooperation and hard work from the Turkish authorities both central and local and of course from our Australian friends.I also had the pleasure this morning of laying a wreath with the Governor at the Atatürk Memorial which—if you do not know it—is at the southern end of the airport on the right-hand side as you fly into Wellington. You can actually see it there. If you do not mind for the record for Hansard I really want to put the quote from Atatürk which just sums up better than anything or any words I have seen where we are today with Anzac Day. The quote which is the inscription on the memorial at Gallipoli and here in Wellington reads: “Those heroes who shed their blood and lost their lives you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side in this country of ours. You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries wipe away your tears your sons are now lying in our bosoms and are in peace. After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”Those are prophetic words and also just humbling words. Every time I read them I have a shiver down my spine. I have been quite humbled as I have been getting more and more involved in my veterans’ affairs portfolio which was given to me by the Prime Minister late last year. There are good Kiwis good people involved in our services. They have been involved in our services they still are and they will be involved in our services.Many New Zealanders seem to somehow take for granted the sacrifice and the price that many paid—and continue to pay—for the freedoms we enjoy to contest and to vote in democratic elections and to enjoy our way throughout the world with our friends throughout the world. I hope many Kiwis particularly this year—some who perhaps have not paid as much attention as they could as to who we are and what we are as a nation—will perhaps take some time to reflect on this very very special centenary and commemoration. Thank you.