Last year was the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the U.S. Marines and Army to New Zealand during WWII. Scattered around the North Island are reminders of the positive effect their presence had on both the people and the country. Our Consul General in Auckland, Jim Donegan, recently helped mark the opening anniversary of one of those sites – the 39th U.S. General Army Hospital in Cornwall Park. Below, Jim shares highlights of the anniversary ceremony and talks about the history of the hospital. Over to you Jim.

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JD:  Thank you Ambassador. I was honored to participate recently in the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the opening of the 39th U.S. General Army Hospital, organized by Members of the Cornwall Park Trust. The story of the hospital is fascinating, and representative of the close friendship that existed between the United States and New Zealand during WW II – one that continues to grow and flourish today.

Consul General Jim Donegan at commemoration in Cornwall Park.

The years 1942 and 1943 were precarious, to say the least, for freedom loving nations. Axis Powers had made gains throughout Europe and Asia, and Allied forces were stretched thin. For New Zealand it was a particularly challenging period. Japanese forces were deployed dangerously close in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific islands nearby, and most of its own military was bravely fighting alongside other Allies against the axis powers in Europe and Africa. But the tide was turning.

In the summer of 1942 U.S. Marines began to arrive in New Zealand to begin the long, hard campaign to push the Japanese back, starting with brutal battles such as those that took place in the Solomon Islands. The success of those campaigns would have been impossible without the participation of the people of New Zealand. While their own forces were battling in Europe and elsewhere, New Zealanders adopted the American soldiers as if they were their own, making them feel at home as they prepared to deploy, and nursing them back to health after they had experienced the horrors of war. The hospital that was constructed in Cornwall Park was an example of that care. The facility contained over 1,500 beds; and during its almost two-year lifetime, over 23,000 soldiers were treated, a remarkable record.

Wreath laid at the original hospital site.

Appropriately, once the war was over, the facility turned to peacetime operations as Cornwall Hospital, including maternity care; there were a number of ceremony participants who were born in the maternity wards, and it was a great pleasure to chat with them after my address. It was also an honor to meet and hear about the history of the hospital from Don Taylor, who served there with the intelligence section of the Auckland 5th Battalion in 1943.

While the hospital buildings have long been removed from the park, the original flagpole remains, and during the ceremony members of the World War II Historic Reenactment Society raised one of the (48 star) U.S. flags that flew over the facility in 1943, which is in almost perfect condition thanks to the care it has received from Aucklanders over the years.

Historical re-enactment at Cornwall Park.

After the official ceremony, the many hundreds of participants enjoyed the park and were entertained by the Prohibition Swingtet, the Sisters of Swing, and a display by the Jitterbugs School of Swing Dancing. The Reenactment Society also displayed military vehicles, weapons and equipment and provided briefings about wartime life in Auckland.

All in all, it was an inspiring and enjoyable day for everyone who attended, as well as yet another reminder of the enduring and ever-strengthening bond between New Zealand and the United States.

- JD

If you’re linked with me on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter, you know that our Embassy Marines and I visited Children’s Hospital in Wellington yesterday to distribute a large pile of toys to kids who unfortunately will be spending their Christmas as in-patients rather than at home. As we went room to room I was reminded of words President Obama spoke earlier this month on Christmas in Washington, a televised annual concert benefitting Children’s National Medical Center, which I think nicely crystalize the true meaning of the season:

“Tonight is a chance to get into the Christmas spirit; to spread some joy and sing along with artists who have much better voices than we do. But it’s also a chance to make a real difference in the lives of some very brave young people being treated at Children’s National Medical Center. Many of these kids and their parents are going through tough times right now, and your support helps give them a reason to hope –- not just during the holidays, but all year round.

Caravaggio’s Adoration of the Shepherds.

“And that’s really what Christmas is all about. Each of us is incredibly blessed in so many ways. But those blessings aren’t just meant to be enjoyed — they’re meant to be used and shared with those who have less.

“The Christian faith teaches us that on this day a child was born so that we might have eternal life. And at the heart of many of the world’s great religions is the idea that we’re all better off when we treat our brothers and sisters with the same love and compassion that we want for ourselves.

“So yes, tonight is about … all the talented folks on this stage. But it’s also about the [people] who are spending this holiday in a hospital bed, or a shelter, or protecting our freedom on a battlefield far from home. Let’s keep them in our prayers, and follow Christ’s calling to love one another as He has loved all of us.”

In the hustle, bustle, clatter, and clang of the season it is often too easy to overlook the reason why so many workplaces are closed today, families are gathered, songs are sung, lights are lit, and feasts are prepared. The reason is not the gifts under the tree. The reason is the gift for which the holiday is named, and what that gift teaches us.

To everyone celebrating around the world today, Dr. McWaine and I wish you a very Merry Christmas. To those who are injured, ill, homeless, hungry, lonely, or in harm’s way, our thoughts are with you, and we pray that those who are able to share their blessings with you will do so. And to those around the world who must celebrate Christmas quietly behind closed doors due to fear of reprisals, we wish you strength, courage, and glad tidings.

As I previewed at the end of my prior post, we had another wonderful Independence Day reception yesterday evening to commemorate both the 236th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence and the 70th anniversary of the arrival of U.S. servicemen and women in New Zealand after the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific. This time we celebrated at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum in the Wigram district of Christchurch.

The Marine Band played. I discreetly entered the hall in a vintage American jeep. We sang the national anthems and acknowledged the World War II veterans among us. Mayor Bob Parker and I offered remarks on the warm and vibrant state of relations between the people of New Zealand and America. And more than 200 guests enjoyed an evening of fine wine, good food, great conversation, and swing dancing.

The grand hall at the Royal NZ Air Force Museum as the reception just starts.

The Marine Band swing unit entertains our guests.

We decorated the hall with photos of American servicemen in NZ in the 1940s.

Present-day Marines talking with WWII Marine Harry Oliver, now living in Christchurch.

Riding into the hall and to the podium in a vintage American jeep.

The singing of the Star-Spangled Banner.

During the singing of God Defend New Zealand.

Minister Gerry Brownlee (center) and other guests listen as I address the crowd.

Mayor Bob Parker offers remarks on behalf of the People of Christchurch.

The Mayor and I are joined by World War II vets (left to right) Dr Alan Roberts (NZ), Harry Oliver (USMC), and Claude Bohn (USMC) for the toasts.

University students enjoying the reception.

Two Marines charm a guest.

A photo of American servicemen enjoying a night at Majestic Cabaret in 1942 Wellington.

Like our prior two Independence Day receptions this year in Wellington and Auckland, it was a wonderful night of spirited conversation, warm memories of prior service and sacrifice, and forward-looking appreciation of the dynamic, warm, impactful, expanding partnership between our people and our countries. I wasn’t at all surprised. Family gatherings are always special occasions.