“I always wear my Poppy to remember those who went before me and served their country with distinction, for those who went beyond the call of duty and who paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can all live our lives in freedom as we do today.”
Those were the words of the Ministry of Sugar permanent secretary Lieutenant Colonel Manasa Vaniqi who was the chief guest at the Remembrance Day at Talenavuruvuru, Lawaqa in Sigatoka today.
Lt. Col Vaniqi said Fiji is a country where peacekeeping is part of its DNA and every Fijian should be proud that the world looks at Fiji with respect and honour because of the heroism of its servicemen and women.
“I am proud that I am a Fijian and because of our soldiers, Fiji has earned the respect and recognition of the world,” he said.
“They were ordinary men and women who did extraordinary deeds and those were just ordinary everyday people, who volunteered, left home and went half way around the world to fight a war far away from our own shores so that tyranny would never make its way to our own shores.”
Lt. Col Vaniqi was joined by government officials, chiefs from the Nadroga/Navosa provinces, retired soldiers and friends and families.
“God bless all our veteran men and women alike who served their country selflessly, they did not fight for fame, money or honour but fought for peace, for the end of tyranny so that we could all have the freedom that we take so much for granted today,” Lt Col Vaniqi added.
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