‘Fallen Comrades Won’t Be Forgotten’
Families of fallen military servicemen were assured by Tui Macuata Ratu Wiliame Katonivere yesterday that the sacrifice of their loved ones would never be forgotten.
Ratu Wiliame was speaking during the Remembrance Day memorial service at the Republic of Fiji Military Forces Sukanaivalu Army Barrack in Labasa yesterday. He said no words could ever adequately express the extent of their personal loss.
“As Fijians we believe that it is the responsibility of all nations to work together to make the world a safer place by bringing peace to troubled regions,” Ratu Wiliame said.
“As a nation we can be proud of the fact that we have always made and continue to make contributions to international peacekeeping efforts far beyond what is expected of a country of our size.
“As I speak today, hundreds of our servicemen and women are putting their lives at risk in the most noble of causes; not waging war, but keeping the peace for ordinary people in troubled parts of the world,” Ratu Wiliame said.
“It is their duty to serve and it is our duty to honour that service and remember all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of that service.
“I need to remind you once again of our nations’ notable and distinguished record of service in past wars including both World Wars as well as present day peacekeeping missions in such places as Sinai, South Sudan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon to name a few.”
Usenia Mamao, 48, said she was proud of the achievement of her father Corporal Kelemete Koroidimuri who served during the Second World War in the Solomon Islands.
“We are proud of his achievement and we can still remember after he returned from the peacekeeping duties at the Solomon Island how he used to talk about the war back then,” she said.
Mrs Mamao attended the event with her four daughters, sister Makereta Tagivakatini and uncle Daniel Mainavatuiwai.
Mrs Mamao, originally from Nawi Village in Cakaudrove and wife of the RFMF Sukanaivalu Army Barracks Labasa officer in-charge Major Penisio Mamao, said her father served Fiji with great honour and pride.
The mother of nine children said her father Corporal Koroidimuri died from an illness in 1985.
