Anzac Day marks 90th anniversary of NZ's only Soldiers' Memorial Hospital

23 April 2018

This Anzac Day, 25 April 2018, marks the 90th anniversary of the opening of Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital – New Zealand’s only soldiers’ memorial hospital.

Every year Hawke’s Bay District Health Board holds an Anzac Day service outside the hospital’s Memorial Chapel and this week’s commemorative service will be particularly special, chief executive Kevin Snee said.

“Our Anzac Day services are always well attended by staff, locals, families and patients, who are able, who come to pay their respects,” Dr Snee said

“This year’s service has an extra special meaning, given it will be the 90th anniversary of the hospital’s official opening on Anzac Day 1928. The, order of service will reflect on this especially as  after the Great War of 1914-1918, the people of Hastings chose to name their new hospital after soldiers’ who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

In 2015 the DHB commissioned a new entrance sign at the hospital using recycled reclaimed wood from the former Napier Hospital site, and stainless steel elements depicting poppy patterns to further enhance the ANZAC significance to the hospital’s official name.

The community is warmly invited to attend Wednesday’s service which begins at 10am. Following the service people will be invited to light a remembrance candle in the chapel, or place a poppy on the altar. Morning tea will also be served in the hospital’s café - Zac’s.

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