Remembrance day reception to honor fallen heroes

At day’s end, Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka joined members of the French Defense Forces on board the D’Entrecasteaux-class patrol ship berthed at the Suva wharf to remember those who gallantly died in the line of duty.

The solemn occasion, which coincided with the November 11th Remembrance Day event, honored the thousands of brave men and women who lost their lives, fighting for peace and freedom.

In honoring these fallen comrades, the new French Ambassador to Fiji Her Excellency Ms Julie Le Saos hosted a special reception, highlighting the pain still being felt by some people around the world, particularly in France, after the Great War more than a century ago.

“Today’s occasion helps us to reflect and honor the sacrifices made by the thousands of brave men and women who fought for peace and freedom, including all the Fijian heroes and Fiji’s own distinguished scholar, soldier and statesman, the late Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna, who served on the battlefields of France with the French Foreign Legion,” she shared.

Ratu Sukuna’s courageous act earned him the Medaille Militaire, which is the second highest military award of the French Republic, exclusively given to non-commissioned officers for bravery, as well as the Croix de Guerre.

The French Ambassador also took the opportunity to acknowledge the Prime Minister’s efforts in saving the life of a French Colonel who was wounded in an attack on the UN Headquarters in Lebanon in 1980.

For this action, the Prime Minister was made the Commander of the French highest distinction, the Legion of Honor.

Meanwhile, the D’Entrecasteaux-class Overseas Support and Assistance ship is in the country as part of our mutual commitment to defense and security globally and in the Pacific.

The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps and distinguished guests.

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