They march for those who no longer can: A town remembers its veterans

They March for Those Who No Longer Can: A Town Remembers Its Veterans

The Combined Services Remembrance Day service in Gisborne this Sunday will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, paying tribute to the courage and devotion of veterans like Royal New Zealand Navy serviceman Ken Gordon.

Ken Gordon, 98, will attend the ceremony with his daughter Fiona and son Alister outside the Returned and Services Association rooms. Gordon, who once served aboard HMNZS Gambia, witnessed the Japanese signing of the armistice aboard USS Missouri in September 1945—an event that marked the end of the global conflict.

Honouring the Living Legend

Guest speaker Jack Donnelly BEM, a Navy veteran with 34 years of service, will share Gordon’s wartime experiences in detail. Donnelly described Gordon as a “living legend” whose story remains vivid and inspiring.

“Ken Gordon’s account is very graphic and descriptive,” said Donnelly. “He’s a living legend whose presence reminds us of the price of peace.”

Among those joining the commemoration will be Tuwhakairiora “Toti” Tukhaka QSM, Gordon’s former trainee and a veteran of the Korean War of the early 1950s.

The March to Remember

A highlight of the ceremony will be the March to Remember, a solemn tribute performed by Gisborne’s veterans.

“They march for those who no longer march and in the footsteps of those who are no longer with us,” Donnelly said. “Their pride, discipline, and bearing will shine through. We thank them for their service.”

Author’s Summary

This year’s Remembrance Day in Gisborne honors 98-year-old WWII veteran Ken Gordon and fellow servicemen, celebrating their courage and legacy 80 years after the war’s end.

NZ Herald — 2025-11-07