Dunback man's daily tribute to the fallen

Lest we forget . . . Dunback resident Ivan Ross pays tribute  at the local war memorial  every...
Lest we forget . . . Dunback resident Ivan Ross pays tribute at the local war memorial every day, and rakes the gravel when required. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Every day is Anzac Day for a 53-year-old Dunback man, who at sunrise and sunset marches to the local war memorial, salutes it, and says a prayer for the fallen soldiers.

Ivan Ross has marched with his rake over his right shoulder to the local Dunback monument every day for the past three years.

"I go there to get some peace and quiet, and it is somewhere nice to stand for three minutes at a time and reflect on things.''

The memorial lists the names of the 47 young men from the Dunback community who gave their lives, in the Boer War, World War 1 and World War 2.

"They died for their country so we could enjoy our freedom. They deserve to earn our respect every day of the year.''

Mr Ross rakes the gravel flicked up at the monument from passing vehicles, weeds the area, and picks up the odd piece of broken glass.

In the days leading up to Anzac Day, he also cleans the monument.

"I am just doing my little bit. I don't expect to get a Hollywood star.

"I am just doing it for a community which has lost its church and school over the years.

"A lot of old soldiers come up with tears in their eyes and say I am doing a great job. That is all the recognition I need.''

Mr Ross' grandfather served in the Boer War, and his father served in Crete during WW2, and "it was like he never came home''.

"He never used to say much, and he never talked about the war.''

While Mr Ross never saw active duty, he joined the army as a field engineer aged 18 in 1973, based at Linton, near Palmerston North.

After two years in the army, Mr Ross "went bush'' before heading south to work in various jobs.

"When I go, I guess I won't be remembered, but it is satisfying to know the people who gave their lives will still be remembered in every small town in New Zealand.''

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