Widows Of Fallen Peacekeepers Share Stories
I may not have seen my grandfather, but I know he was a great man, giving his all to protect my family and our nation,” she said.
Tuesday 12 November 2024 | 16:02
Remembrance Day Lavenia Voloukitoga lays a wreath on November 11, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar
After 30 years of losing the love of her life, Lavenia Volaukitoga, 62, has not missed a Remembrance Day to pay her respects to the fallen soldiers, one of whom was her late husband
Yesterday, she was accompanied by her granddaughter to pay her respects at the National War Memorial Grounds in Veiuto, Suva
Ms Volaukitoga lost her husband on June 4, 1994, after he was shot down by Hezbollah, an Islamist extremist group, while on peacekeep-ing duties in Lebanon.
Related stories
The emotional mother of five said it was God who brought her through her pain and struggles.
“No matter how painful it was, I chose God and through that, I was composed and mastered enough courage to take care of our children alone,” Ms Volaukitoga said.
“For 10 years, I raised my kids in Bua with no compensation from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF); I was a market vendor to support my children but it was never enough to raise five children alone.
“And that’s the reason why my children didn’t make it in life, because there was no regular income to support us financially.”
It wasn’t until 2006, when Ms Volaukitoga received a call from the RFMF to work as a cleaner at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks office in Suva.
“I worked until 2016 and now I just stay home and look after my grand-children, the oldest sitting her first Fiji School Leaving certificate ex-amination (FSLCE) paper tomorrow (today),” she said.
19-year-old Wakesa Raiwa was in tears when asked about her attendance yesterday. “I may not have seen my grandfather, but I know he was a great man, giving his all to protect my family and our nation,” she said.
“I’m pretty sure I’m not going to follow his footsteps of becoming a soldier, but I dream to become the President one day.”
Ms Raiwa counted herself lucky as she has the full support of her family, especially her grandmother.
Wakesa Voloukitoga during the Remembrance Day on November 11, 2024. Photo: Ronald Kumar
Also sharing similar sentiments yesterday was Susana Veretawatini, 59, who has been travelling from Naisomua, Vugalei, Tailevu every year to attend the event.
“I lost my husband Corporal Lui Veretawatini after he was killed in Sinai in 2008. Since then, I have been attending every year to reminisce on all the memories I had with him and our family,” Ms Veretawatini tearfully expressed.
“I was hoping to have both my children enlisted with the RFMF as I was reassured by the Force following my husband’s death, however, my daughter got pregnant, only my son is in the Force.”
Ms Veretawatini said the hardship she went through molded her life to what it is now, peaceful and filled with gratitude.
Feedback: Beranadeta@fijisun.com.fj
