VANZ News Issue 4
A Message from The Minister
Hon Judith Collins, Minister of Veterans’ Affairs
As the Christmas and holiday season is upon us, I would like to extend my very best wishes to all our veterans and their families.
The holidays are a time to reflect on the past year and look to the future. It has been a very busy year and I have greatly enjoyed attending many commemorative events and meeting some truly inspirational members of our veterans’ community.
A lot of work has been done over the past year to improve access to services for our veterans, and to honour their service. This important work will continue in 2011.
I would like to thank the many organisations in the community who work for the benefit of our veterans, and wish them the best for Christmas.
The veterans’ community farewelled many good friends in 2010, and I would like to take this opportunity to recognise their sacrifice. New Zealand mourns the loss of each of them.
Christmas is also a time to remember our New Zealand defence personnel serving overseas. Christmas away from loved ones and friends is a time when soldiers’ thoughts will turn to home. They can take great comfort in the knowledge that their service gives perhaps the greatest gift of all – the gift of freedom, peace and hope.
Merry Christmas to all veterans and serving defence personnel, wherever you are in the world. My thoughts will be with you over the festive season. May you have good health, good friends and happiness in 2011.