Memorial Day Gathering at Ramaroa
An informal gathering was held at Ramaroa on Memorial Day to commemorate those who served and to celebrate progress on the redevelopment of the Memorial site.
The upgraded interpretation panels will feature photographs from the remarkable Norm Hatch collection and will help preserve and share this unique chapter of New ZealandUnited States history for future generations. The gathering also recognised the many families the Trust continues to assist in reconnecting with their wartime history through this special place.
Past and present representatives from the Trust were joined by Kāpiti Mayor Janet Holborow, along with members of the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy.
Guests were also delighted to welcome Pat Phillips, who visited Camp Russell as a child in 1943 while her uncle served there as a padre. Pat shared memories of the camp, including the childhood discovery of an unexploded bomb that she and her siblings secretly took home.