‘Their legacy, our inspiration’

This was the theme for the 37th Remembrance Day and commemorative memorial service.

Held at the Remembrance Park at Ela beach this morning, the service was witnessed by officials and members of the public alike.

The service was opened up with a march-on parade by the disciplinary forces led by the police band and in front of a procession of service veterans and their representatives.

Parliament’s deputy speaker, Jeffery Komal in his address to the service on behalf of the governor general, encouraged all citizens to embrace and take pride in the sacrifices that the former and current service men and women carry out in their duties.

“As we remember, cherish and nurture their humble and selfless sacrifice, we build a bridge across time, with an understanding that there is a lasting debt we owe our forefathers.

“The foundation of our nation stands firmly on the legacy of those we remember today. It is our duty to ensure their sacrifice continues to be remembered and honoured, making their legacy truly become our inspiration”

The Deputy speaker said that the type of service given to the country must be honored in the legacy that the service personnel leave behind.

“They fought gallantly for freedom we enjoy today. Their humble sacrifice remind us that war is not a desirable means to solve conflict. It has given us a firsthand experience and lessons to join peace loving peoples of the world in denouncing war as an evil act.

My fellow Papua New Guineans, Remembrance Day is a special day and so it should always be. It is the day that has set the basis of our democracy that we enjoy today. It is a day that our young generation must honour in their hearts”, he reminisced.

Meantime, this morning’s service was attended by the numerous VIPs as well as the heads of the country’s security forces, political heads, notably the former prime minister, and founding father of the nation, Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, as well as other members of the diplomatic corp.