“We will always remember them”.
This was echoed by President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Prime Minister and Commander of the Fiji Military Forces Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, families and relatives who were gathered this morning at the War Memorial Complex in Veiuto to pay tribute to our fallen heroes.
One of Fiji's fallen brave soldiers Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu's family was in tears as they remembered their grandfather.
Corporal Sukanaivalu's daughter in-law Olivia Vulakoro said that she will make sure to take her children to the War Memorial Complex every year.
Corporal Sukanaivalu who hails from Yacata, Cakaudrove was the only Fijian soldier awarded the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to Commonwealth forces, the Victoria Cross.
On June 23rd, 1944 at Mawaraka, Bougainville, in the Solomon Islands, Corporal Sefanaia Sukanaivalu rescued two wounded men along with their platoon which was ambushed by the Japanese.
After recovering two men, he volunteered again to go alone through heavy fire to rescue another where he received several gun shot on his way back and was seriously wounded, fell to the ground and was unable to move further.
Sukanaivalu is buried at Bitapaka War Graves Commission Cemetery, Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea.
Story by: Rusiate Baleilevuka
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Tribute paid to fallen heroes
