Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty RSAs have a series of events to commemorate this Armistice Day on November 11.

Armistice Day, later known as Remembrance Day, commemorates the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, when the guns fell silent and an agreement was made to end the fighting of the First World War.

Tauranga RSA has planned a series of events at the Tauranga RSA Cenotaph, starting 11 am with the unfurling of a flag and two minutes’ silence followed by an invite to attend the Members Bar for morning tea.

“All are welcome!” says president Fred Miligan, who expects a turn-up of at least 50.

Te Puke RSA will have a small gathering at the building near the flag pole. Manager Tracey Mouat says: “There’ll be finger food afterwards”.

Katikati RSA president Glen Burt says “it’s a pretty special day for us”. “It’s a commemorative day for the end of the First World War.

“We had 19 people who went from Katikati who never returned. That’s quite a big number for a little town that many years ago. I suspect there will be quite a few people and a good turnout from our Return Service Association members...at a ceremony at the War Memorial Hall. We’ve got the members coming in at 10.45am. The service starts just before 11 am and concludes about 11.20am.”

Pāpāmoa War Memorial Trust has organised an Armistice Day Service of which Mount Maunganui RSA members are welcome to attend. This will be held at Stella Place Lookout Memorial on the seaward side of Pāpāmoa Beach Rd.

All community members are welcome to attend; young people in particular. Parking will be available on adjacent to the Pony Club paddock.

Those attending are requested to come early as the service formalities begin with a muster of veterans, NZDF personnel and community service organisations at the Pony Club grounds about 10.30am preparatory to start the short march to the memorial.

The service will commence with a karanga from local iwi, then members of the Veterans Parade and various groups will march onto the memorial site.

Pāpāmoa College Students will sing hymns and recite poems in honour of the fallen, with dignitaries to attend from the NZ Defence Forces, British High Commission and Tauranga City Council.

Wreaths will be laid, and the public can place their own tributes at the conclusion of the service. During the service will be a fly past by Classic Flyers, Tauranga.