Friendship and camaraderie are what a 97-year-old World War 2 veteran likes to remember about his time in the Middle East.
Montecillo Veterans' Home and Hospital resident Duncan Peat is one of just eight World War 2 veterans at the home and, although reluctant to talk specifically about his time with the New Zealand Army, he spoke fondly about his "mates'' to the Otago Daily Times.
"We've got our memories. We've got memories of great friends and great mates, comrades.
"You know them so well and you knew that you could rely on them every bit of the way.
"We had been through it together.
"The friendship of those army mates are really close [to me],'' he said.
Mr Peat said he did not really talk about the war now as there was "no-one to talk to'' about it.
He and the other veterans shared memories of some of the good times but rarely talked in depth about what they went through during World War 2.
He would take Monday "as it comes''.
"We definitely look forward to Anzac Day.''
On Thursday, he said he was looking forward to taking the ball on to the pitch before the Highlanders and Sharks Super rugby match at Forsyth Barr Stadium last night.
"I just feel it is an honour.
"I'll have my niece with me on account of my eyesight,'' Mr Peat said.
Montecillo chief executive Fred Daniel said the residents enjoyed this time of the year.
"There's a lot of chatter around the table.
"Most of the ex-servicemen participate in it [Anzac day proceedings].
"We think about the good times. We don't think about the baddies,'' Mr Daniel said.
