We will remember them.

This morning before dawn, thousands of people gathered quietly throughout the Bay of Plenty to mark Anzac Day commemorations.

As the sun came up, ‘The Last Post' rang out, a poignant and solemn reminder of those who served and were lost.

Today people all across the country gathered in the dawn to honour, remember and reflect upon the sacrifices of the Kiwi soldiers who fought at Gallipoli and other conflicts in which New Zealand has been involved in since.

As members of the Returned Services Association remembered their fallen comrades, younger generations adorned with the medals of their ancestors, and people of all ages came together to honour the ultimate sacrifice made by New Zealand servicemen and women.

Standing guard at the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

Last year's lack of Anzac Day services seems like a distant memory as veterans and RSA members from across Tauranga city and the Western Bay resume a century long tradition. It is 105 years since the first Anzac Day commemoration was held in 1916 and numbers attending the services continue to grow.

Anzac services were cancelled in 2020 because of the Level 4 lockdown that occurred from Covid-19 reaching our shores. Instead of meeting en masse people were encouraged to Stand At Dawn at their letterboxes or in their home to observe the day.

This year, it is very different. The grassed seating at Hopukiore - Mount Drury Reserve - was packed as people of all ages assembled to participate in and observe the dawn ceremony.

A bagpipe player led marchers to the Mount Maunganui cenotaph before dawn. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

The quiet march, led to the Mount cenotaph by the haunting sounds of bagpipe, was also a show of resilience and determination to rise above what globally has seemed for many to be nearly unsurmountable odds.

The Mount Maunganui dawn service began with a parade at 5.55am, with the service itself beginning around the cenotaph at 6am. Speakers included chaplain Marie Gilpin, and the service was attended by the Australian squadron leader Jennifer Arnold, who is the assistant defence advisor based at the Australian High Commission in Wellington, and Tauranga city head commissioner Anne Tolley.

A poignant moment at the Mount Maunganui cenotaph. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

In Tauranga, the dawn service was held at the Tauranga RSA Cenotaph in Cameron Rd, with the march assembling at Hayes Ave. A large crowd was present for the Anzac service which included the ode, ‘The Last Post' and minute's silence.

At Tutereinga Marae in Te Puna, the parade assembled outside the Marae entrance at 5.30am, before marching into the Marae for Anzac commemorations.

At the Papamoa cenotaph, flags were quietly raised at dawn, ready for the Papamoa Civic Memorial Service at noon.

Waihi, Omokoroa, Katikati and Maketu also held dawn services.

Speakers at the Anzac Dawn Service at the Mount Maunganui cenotaph. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

Today Civic services will also be held:

Te Puke Civic Service – Te Puke War Memorial Hall, 130 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke

• • March to War Memorial Hall at 9.50am
• • 10am start

Waihi Beach Civic Service

• • Waihi Beach RSA, 99 Beach Road
• • 9:30am start

Papamoa Civic Memorial Service

11.45am to 1pm, Papamoa Memorial, Stella Place beach car park, Papamoa Beach Road

Papamoa Civic Memorial Parade timetable:

• • 11.45am: Assemble on the grass down from Papamoa cenotaph – near Papamoa Pony Club
• • 11.55am: March off
• • 12pm: Service begins

Pyes Pa Remembrance Service

11am at Pyes Pa Cemetery, 403 Pyes Pa Road

The Lion and Tusk Museum Service

Museum open from 10am, 14 Portside Drive, Mount Maunganui

• • 12:45pm: March to the museum
• • Service begins once marchers arrive

Mount Maunganui Civic Memorial Service

9.15am – 10.30am at Mount Maunganui Cenotaph, Marine Parade (opposite Mount Drury)

Mount Maunganui Civic Memorial Parade timetable:

• • 9.15am – assemble at Mt Drury
• • 9.25am – march off
• • 9.30am – service begins

Tauranga Civic Memorial Service

8.45am to 10.30am, Tauranga Memorial Park, Eleventh Avenue

Tauranga Civic Memorial Service parade timetable:

• • 8.45am – assemble on the grass beside Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre
• • 8.55am – march off
• • 9.am – service begins

Bugle player playing 'The Last Post' at the Mount Maunganui Dawn Service. Photo: Harris Williams/SunLive.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning - we will remember them

Send in your Anzac Day photos: we'd love our readers to send in their own photos of Anzac Day commemorations around the region. Send all Anzac Day photos to: newsroom@thesun.co.nz