Had you been on Vuya Road, Suva, you’d have witnessed the mock display by the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. It was done during the commemoration of Fiji’s 40 years contribution to United Nations peacekeeping.

The soldiers showed a glimpse of what life was like in the war-torn territories they were deployed to and dedicated their lives to protect.

And one such soldier is Corporal Inosi Cuvatoka. He said in Lebanon they faced ridicule often by the dissident groups and also were sworn at when trying to cross checkpoints.

Corporal Cuvatoka has completed four tours in Lebanon the first in 1988 – 89, the second in 1991 – 92, 3rd in `1996 – 97 and the 4th in 1999 – 2000.

He also discussed the allowance back in the day compared to now.

“In1988 the field allowance was $15 a day and now it is $130 a day,” he said.

Corporal Cuvatoka was part of the team manning check points at a mock-up exercise near the National War Memorial Grounds.

Another soldier, Captain Prikesh Singh also participated at the mock-up exercise.

He said they were just trying to show the public of the work they carried out while on peacekeeping duty.

“It’s not an easy job and most of the time there were threats from dissident groups,” he said.

Now, he said, they were no longer manning check points as the locals were doing the job.

Lieutenant Kitione Vunibatika who was Captain Singh’s assistant at the Fiji Battalion in Lebanon was now looking at posts usually looked after by Finland and Spain.

The mock-up exercise was set up after the parade rehearsal at Albert Park in Suva.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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