Forces Honour Slain Heroes

Always remember them.

This was the message from Prime Minister and former Republic of Fiji Military Forces commander Voreqe Bainimarama yesterday as he joined the Third Battalion of Fiji Infantry Regiment (3FIR), the Fijian Navy, Fiji Corrections Service and Fiji Police Force at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua, marking 20 years since the failed attempted mutiny of November 2, 2000.

The three soldiers who lost their lives in the attempted mutiny were Private Temo Veilewai, Private Osea Rokosirinavosa and Private Simione Rawaileba.

They were killed by Counter Revolutionary Warfare Unit (CRW) soldiers.

Several others were injured during the attempts to take over the Delainabua, Queen Elizabeth Barracks.

Mr Bainimarama reminded the soldiers to always remember the families of the three who lost their lives and those injured in trying to stop the attempted mutiny.

He thanked the leaders in the military for keeping the faith and remaining steadfast to the responsibility of defending the safety of every Fijian.

It was an emotional moment for Liku Veilewai, widow of the late Private Veilewai. She shared how much she missed her late husband’s company.

“I miss him very much as we were always close,” she said.

“My eldest son was in Class Two and my daughter was in preschool when they lost their father.”

From left: Salanieta Rawaileba (widow of Private Rawaileba), Private Senigigea Rokosirinavosa (daughter of Private Rokosirinavosa), and Liku Veilewai (widow of Private Veilewai) at the memorial of the November 2, 2000, failed attempted mutiny at Queen Elizabeth Barracks in Nabua on November 2, 2020. Photo: Kelera Sovasiga

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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