One of two locally crafted ceramic purple poppies worldwide was unveiled, Fiona Pitcaithly was back in the saddle, and a minute silence was broken only by cicadas, cooing pigeons and the occasional dog's whine.
As the sun set over the Nelson RSA Lawn Cemetery at Marsden Valley on Sunday, around 100, including some on four legs, gathered for the fourth local Purple Poppy Day.
Animals currently serving, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Boer War to present-day conflicts were saluted.
Formalities included purple decorated horses led by Richmond Riding for Disabled head coach Tina Angus and member Rach Lelong through purple smoke, a wreath-laying, a Last Post and the release of pigeons in tribute to the First and Second World War messenger pigeons.
Nelson artist Brian McIntyre lifted the shroud to reveal a handmade ceramic purple poppy, emblazoned on the cemetery’s war animal memorial.
The only other one Brian has made is on the War Animal Memorial in London.
Guest speakers included Stevin Creegan, a retired RNZAF veteran who was the sole survivor of the 2010 ANZAC Day Iroquois helicopter crash near Wellington.
Stevin lives with PTSD and chronic pain from the spinal and leg injuries he sustained in that accident.
He was there with his service support dog Loki, who travels with Stevin in a specially designed backpack on their motorbike.
“It's amazing the difference [Loki] has made to my life, it has meant that I can do a lot more things I didn't think I was able to,” he told the audience.
Fiona Pitcaithly recited the war animal ode, one year on from a life-changing accident at last year’s Purple Poppy Day commemorations.
During the 2025 service, Fiona’s horse Zen was startled by a flag cracking in the wind, knocking her to the ground and fracturing her skull, resulting in two brain bleeds.
She was rushed to Wellington, where she underwent a five-hour operation that saved her life.
