Levin RSA, along with RSAs throughout New Zealand commemorate ANZAC Day, staring with a Dawn Parade.

Dawn marks the time of the initial landings at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and holds the added symbolism of darkness making way for a new day.

The service, which follows the march from the RSA to the war memorial at Remembrance Park in the centre of Levin is, essentially, a military funeral, with all the solemnity, symbolism and respect such an event entails: uniformed service personnel standing motionless around a memorial, with heads bowed and weapons reversed; a bier of wreaths laid by the mourners; the chaplain reading the words from the military burial service; the firing of three volleys; and the playing of the Last Post, followed by a prayer, hymn, and benediction will be held as usual.

If you would like to attend the dawn service please go to Remembrance Park.

Members of the public who would like to march in the parade are asked to meet at the RSA at 0530 and follow the directions of the Parade commander and RSA personnel.

The parade will march off from the RSA at 0600 led by returned, former service and current serving personnel and RSA members.

Any community groups or members of the community who may be interested in being part of the parade are most welcome and should form up behind the returned and service members of the RSA and serving service personnel.

Our traffic management plan requires us to proceed in an orderly manner on State Highway one between the police cars on our march to Remembrance park. Similarly the march back to the RSA must be in an orderly fashion. The parade will be halted and dismissed outside the entrance to the RSA. The directions of the parade commander must be followed.

Medals; If you would like to wear one of your family member’s medals as a symbol of remembrance please do so, they are worn on the right breast.

Breakfast is available at the RSA and Community Club at the completion of the march back to the RSA and Poppies Restaurant is open all ANZAC Day.