My speech today is about a famous person. Well he was not famous himself, but was in a famous event. He was not famous in life but death. He died in World War II with thousands of other men. His name was Samuel Mendes and he was my Great Grandfather. Last month was the 60th anniversary of the World War II battle of Monte Casino in Italy. New Zealand Veterans travelled back to remember that time in 1944 and pay respect to their friends and allies who didn't make it. Many New Zealanders lost their lives. It was a fierce and bloody battle and conditions were really bad. Most of the men who fought in the battle did not travel back for the anniversary. They had never left Italy. They died there over 60 years ago. My Great Grandfather was one of them he was discovered missing in February 1944 and finally declared killed in action on 21st September 1944. He never stood a chance. He and his mates were shot down as the advanced forward in land faraway. In a battle for freedom, for Italians and for us. To me my Great Grandfather was a hero. Of course I never met him and do not know what sort of person he was or if he was even nice. I have never seen a photo of him. I can only imagine what being a soldier in World War II would have been like. He would have had to be very brave, when might have wished he was anywhere else. He probably felt really scared. And didn't want to be there. My Great Grandfather was not himself a famous person when we think of famous people. If I said his name you wouldn't have a clue who he was. But I think he deserves to be famous. As well as all the brave people in the war. He was 29 when he died a member of the famous 28th Maori Battalion on the front line first to go into battle. He was Northern Maori his tribe was Ngapuhi. Ngapuhi are a proud and strong tribe. With a long history of tough warriors. I hope we never forget what these brave men did for us. They died so we could have freedom and the great lives we have in New Zealand. This speech is a tribute to those soldiers and especially to my Great Grandfather, to Private Samuel Mendes of the 28th Maori Battalion. I want to thank you for the sacrifice you made for us.

Wow, this is sooo coool. It is the eve of ANZAC and I was sitting thinking about our brave soldiers and how lucky we are to have the life we do when I decided to google my grand fathers name....well and look what I found. This is amazing, Im so excited. It is great to see photos of my grandfather and his brothers, I'd heard the names before, but had never really made a connection - now I do. I never meet my grandfather, but I have heard some stories about how he went to war and left behind a daughter my aunty Helen and a son Alan(my father). We do have a photo of him, an exact photo of what is on here and and I think its still in its original photo frame. I remember my father talking about my grandfather and some of the things he knew -I know he thought highly of him and thought he was brave. I think he was too. I know I am very proud of my grandfather and I know my father will be too, soo early tomorrow morning I will waking up early to remember their bravery and their courage to fight for our country. Love you heaps Koro Dawn