Black Rock Camp Farewells Loyal RFMF Soldiers in Style

More than 30 years of ser­vices for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces per­sonnel Sergeant Lepani Matevaka­loloma and Warrant Officer Class 1 Simione Rarasea came to an end on Thursday.

The duo were accorded a typical military farewell which saw fellow soldiers pulling a military vehicle towards the main gate of the Black Rock, the army camp in Nadi, with the two officers riding at the back.

Originally from Lovoni, in Ono-i-Lau, Sergeant Matevakaloloma has served on peacekeeping duties in places such as Sinai, Lebanon, Iraq and East Timor for a total of 10 years.

“I have never regretted this de­cision to join the military in1982,” Sergeant Matevakaloloma said.

“This is something that has moulded and instilled the virtues of discipline in me and my family.”

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Through the RFMF, Sergeant Mat­evakaloloma said he was able to achieve so much through the train­ing he had in New Zealand and Australia.

For six years he served as a body guard for the late presidents, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara and Ratu Josefa Iloilovatu and the late Vice-Presi­dent, Ratu Jope Seniloli.

“One of the biggest lessons I learnt was discipline,’’ Sergeant Matevakaloloma said.

“And, being brought up in my vil­lage where my father was the sole bread winner in a big family is quite hard.

“I knew I had to step in and help my family.”

He advised young military person­nel that RFMF was about disci­pline and following commands.

They would only survive in the RFMF institution through those values, Sergeant Matevakaloloma said.

Warrant Officer Class 1 Rara­sea said he was honoured to have served the RFMF for 37 year where he was given the opportunity to at­tain skills in New Zealand and Aus­tralia through military courses.

Edited by George Kulamaiwasa

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