The Fiji Day parade at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park will be a special one for the Third Infantry Regiment (3FIR).

Commander of the Repulic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear-Admiral Viliame Naupoto, said it would be special because it would be a Trooping of the Colour too for them. Only their colour woud be used.

A regiment’s colour embodied its spirit and service, as well as its fallen members.

The Commander said their rallying point was their colour and were proud of it.

He said at the Trooping of the Colour and the colour-party would march the colour through the ranks so that every man would see that the colour was intact.

“This is a very special moment for them as they see their colour marched past them by the colour party.”

He was at the Ratu Sukuna Park yesterday at the launch of the Poppy Appeal by the Acting Minister for Defence and National Security Jone Usamate.

He has urged the public to buy and wear a poppy to remember those who had died during the wars and peacekeeping missions.

In launching the 2017 Poppy Appeal Mr Usamate said the launch reassured Fiji’s continued recognition of the priceless sacrifice made by the sons and daughters of Fiji who had served in the Fiji Armed Forces during the First and Second World Wars, the Malaya Campaign, Christmas Island and the many peacekeeping missions around the world.

Fiji continues to participate in Peacekeeping Missions where our Fijians servicemen and women have flown the Fijian flag,” he said.

Mr Usamate is calling on all Fijians to take part in this worthy cause by buying a poppy to remember the fallen and honour those who are still with us today, although their numbers are decreasing as the years pass.

70-year-old Voate Jajesa from Noco, Rewa went on two peacekeeping tours to Lebanon and four to Sinai said he was lucky to be at the launch and remembered those of his mates that had fallen.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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