Sir Michael Somare given final farewell

Sir Michael Somare has been given his final farewell.

 

He was released this afternoon with a guard of honour simultaneously accompanied by a 19 gun salute from the PNG Defence Force.

It was a sad but patriotic moment as a few residents braved the rain to farewell the father of the nation at Sir Hurbert Murray Stadium.

Sir Michael took the stage in the program hosted by NCD Governor Powes Parkop to thank Papua New Guineans for the love and tributes throughout the day.

Before departing, his final advice to people was to believe in themselves, one another and be proud.

“Believe in one union as the people of one country because your constitution was written for a united PNG. This is something young people should think about for their country.

I wouldn’t have accomplished all these if I didn’t believe. I believed in the country, in the people and stood by it, in good times and bad times,” he said.

With great honour, he retold the highlights of the day, he stood on the same ground to announce independence.

He said people had speculations of how PNG was getting its independence but “we said we were not going to raise any arms.”

“In many countries, the place was destroyed. We are now 42 and we’ll maintain that for the next 40 to 100 years,” Sir Michael said.  

Accompanied by his wife Lady Veronica, NCD Governor Powes Parkop and other dignitaries, he walked through the guard of honour.

And as the sun set and the rain continued, the East Sepik Cultural Group escorted him to his vehicle as people waved goodbye.

Author: 
Gloria Bauai