Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka today visited the Matanikau Memorial Site in Honiara, Solomon Islands, where he paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War.
Rabuka laid a wreath in solemn remembrance of the lives lost along the Matanikau River.
Among those honoured and buried at the site are five identified members of Fiji’s Infantry Regiments.
The memorial site stands as a powerful reminder of the fierce battles fought on Guadalcanal, where many Solomon Islanders and Allied forces lost their lives.
The Prime Minister says these memorials are sacred spaces of remembrance, not only for Solomon Islands but for all Pacific peoples.
He adds that they remind us of the cost of peace and freedom, the value of selflessness, loyalty and service, and the importance of unity and solidarity as we face today’s global challenges together.
The Prime Minister also visited the U.S. Memorial Site, which honours the courage and sacrifice of American service personnel during the Battle of Guadalcanal and the wider Pacific theatre.
