THE Fijian people easily forget veterans and do not fully give us the recognition that we deserve, says retired Warrant Officer Class 1 Onisimo Gucake.
The 75-year-old said this during the Remembrance Day parade in Suva yesterday.
Mr Gucake joined the then-Royal Fiji Military Forces in 1966 at the age of 18 and participated in numerous overseas peacekeeping missions before retiring in 2003.
“I went to Lebanon five times, Sinai four times and toured to East Timor and Bougainville. I spent my best years serving the people of Fiji, I will never forget those days,” he said.
Also among the crowd of medal-adorned ex-servicemen was Ilai Rokotuibau, a British Army soldier of 11 years.
“Today reminds us of all the sacrifices and acts of valour of our former soldiers many years ago,” he said.
“This occasion also reflects our independence and how all these men and women laid down their lives for us. They sacrificed for our security.”
The Remembrance Day event began with a march from the Suva Flea Market to Ratu Sukuna Park and ended with a wreath-laying ceremony at Battery Hill, Nasese.
More than 300 retired soldiers along with the British Army Veterans joined the march with family members led by the RFMF Brass Band.
President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere and Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama paid their respects to the fallen servicemen at a wreath laying ceremony at Battery Hill.
