Remembrance Day To Honour Our 319 Fallen Fijians

The sky-blue Fijian flag flew at half-mast at the National War Memorial in Veiuto to honour fallen members of Fiji’s disciplined forces.

Retired servicemen, family members of the fallen, the outgoing President Major-General (Ret’d) Jioji Konrote, acting Prime Minister Inia Seruiratu and members of the diplomatic corps gathered to remember the lives lost in service for the country. 

A similar Remembrance Day event took place at the RSL (Returned Services League) Hotel in Lautoka.

At Veiuto, 29 wreaths were laid for the 319 fallen Fijians, which included 47 officers who served in the British Army.

As the function proceeded and the national anthem played, the flag was hoisted all the way up.

Shot by the Hezbollah

On June 4, 1994, Private Seruvatu Volaukitoga was shot down by the Hezbollah, the Islamist extremist group in Lebanon.

He was part of the Fijian troop that was there for peacekeeping duties.

His wife Lavenia Volaukitoga was there with her granddaughter, Wakesa, 16, to mark the 27 years since his departure.

“I can clearly recall the day. I was in the village in Naitasiri when military personnel drove up to the village around 4am,” Ms Volaukitoga said.

“I was shocked. Our fifth and youngest child was just four months old. I did not know what to do. It was hard at first. I spent the 10 years after that in my village in Bua.

“The military then looked for me and offered me work and I was able to move back to Suva. Two of my children have joined the military.”

Lavenia Volaukitoga, 60, with her granddaughter, Wakesa Volaukitoga, 16, remember her late husband Private Seruvatu Volaukitoga during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial site in Veiuto on November 11, 2021. Photo: Ronald Kumar

Lost friends

Joeli Biu joined the British Army after doing a couple of tours of duty with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces.

As part of his service to the British Army, Mr Biu spent a considerable time in Afghanistan. And it was during those days when the war between foreign soldiers and the Taliban was at its worst.

He has seen war up close and personal and it is not a pretty sight.

“I have lost close friends, fellow Fijians and British personnel to war. For me this is a time to reflect what war can do to nations and the cost it has in terms of human life and how it affects people,” he said.

“Later on, I will video call my friends abroad and share this moment with them.”

A century of Poppy

The Retired Servicemen’s Association yesterday launched their website as well and marked the 100 years since the Poppy Appeal was started. President Peni Volavola said the Poppy was an iconic symbol that universally recognised the suffering of young men at war and remembering the fallen brave.

The RSA will be selling the Poppy flowers at various locations. The funds collected will go to retired servicemen and their families.

Event in Lautoka

At the RSL (Returned Services League) Hotel in Lautoka, Retired Major Waka Naivalu said: “Today we wear the poppy with a humble and respectful heart knowing that the names of the members of the Fiji Defence Force are inscribed in the History of the First World War, fought far beyond our shores, fought in the battlefields of Flanders field, Ypres in France.

“Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna also fought in France as a member of the Foreign legion. He was decorated with the French Medaille Militaire a military decoration for other ranks for meritorious service and acts of bravery in action against an enemy force.”

He said 25 troops died during the Malayan Campaign from 1952 to 1956, however it was fortunate that one of the surviving officers, Na Momo Levu Tui Vuda Ratu Eparama Kitione Tavaiqia was present.

“This campaign involved the adoption of guerrilla warfare where the Communist party tried to overthrow the British Colonial administration. We are fortunate that we have a Malayan Campaign veteran, the Momo the Tui Vuda present with us today,” he said.

“It was during this campaign that our soldiers were commanded by iTaukei officers rather than officers from foreign countries. Notable Commanders were Ratu Penaia Ganilau, Ratu Tui Cakobau and Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna.”

He said the contributions made by fallen servicemen would be remembered by those in war-torn countries in the Middle East such as Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Timor-Leste and other countries like  Kosovo, Bosnia Herzegovina, Namibia, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Liberia in Africa. Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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