“To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.”

This line is from a WWI poem, titled “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae, written May 1915, shared during a time at reflection at Challenge 2000 to commemorate the sacrifices made in the Battle of Passchendaele (Belgium), on 12 October 1917. The poem sparked a heartfelt discussion that made many of us realize that it is now on all of us to take the torch of hope and peace that has been passed to us. If we don’t keep that torch shining then who else will?

As M. one of our very insightful young people put it, “The soldiers that fought in the war fought to change our future and now it’s up to us to keep the peace and love going through each of us. To me, it is a hope for coming generations.”

Keeley Grevatt, a Challenge 2000 Youth Worker and former Gap Year student (2016) is one of 14 young people currently representing New Zealand as a Defence Force Youth Ambassador, at this year’s commemoration of the 100th anniversary of The Battle of Passchendaele (for more on Keeley’s story click here).

We have been sharing Keeley’s stories on our Facebook Page and are proud to remember those who served and died at the awful battle at Passchendaele.

Today to remember those who served and died, we will participate in the national commemorative programme that will be held at Wellington’s Pukeahu National War Memorial. We will also commit ourselves to service and making sacrifices for the benefit of all.

Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou./ We will remember them.

   Keeley at a war memorial in Belgium

Challenge 2000 at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park for the Battle of Passchendaele Commemoration