As the whanau of Sonny Sadlier - we wholeheartedly support the launch of this website and congratulate all the people involved from it's conception to it's eventual triumphant completion. Although, our widely loved father was a shy, unassuming man - he was nevertheless a great supporter of the 28th Maori Battalion tradition. We are certain that he is very happy with this amazing resource and that the legacy of the battalion will continue down through the ages.

Growing up as the children of a father who served with the 28th Maori Battalion. We had very little understanding of what "it all" actually meant. It was not until we were older that the true impact of his membership in the battalion hit us. At times over the years our dad disappeared and returned from a happy reunion around the country. Every year at Easter we watched from the crowds as he marched in line with his compatriots - our uncles. The Bag Pipe band leading the procession down the road. We never did make it to a dawn parade. The reality of how the battalion is viewed by Maori people specifically - "immense pride" is something that we hold very dear, because we have a better understanding. Today, we celebrate the mana of the 28th Maori Battalion by wearing the poppy with pride, going to dawn parades, visiting the War Cemetary at home to salute our dad and our uncles. Yes! We have a better understanding.