His Excellency the President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau this week visited a war memorial and museum in Ypres on the border of Belgium and France.
The Fijian Head of State paid tribute to those troops who lost their lives in World War 1, making him as well the first Fijian Head of State to visit the site.
Ratu Epeli who is expected to attend the 100 year anniversary of WW1 was received at the town by its Mayor Mr Jan Durnez who highlighted the bravery by Fijians not only in that war but during other times of conflict.
"We in Ypres are grateful that HE Ratu Epeli came personally to visit the war memorial and his presence here further strengthens relationships between our small town and Fiji," he said.
The Fijian President was reminded how more than 100 Fijians left Fiji to help rebuild the town and later served on the frontline during that war.
"This is one part of our history that Fijians have accepted but have never really appreciated and I hope that our current generation appreciates the lives sacrificed by our forefathers."
His Excellency also placed a wreath at the War Memorial during a solemn ceremony just a few hundred meters from the Town hall.
He later visited the burial site of other Fijians who died serving during the war. One of the graves belonged to Taveuni native Lekima Mua.
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