A small but excited crowd gathered outside the Ela Beach Memorial park as early as 5am this morning.
Among them were families of ex-servicemen.
PNG Loop spoke with Mea Ako from Gulf who says that he and his grand children have been attending the Ela Beach Memoriol ceremonies for the past three years.
Prior to this Ako says that he used to bring his two sons when they were smaller kids to attend such services so that they can appreciate PNG’s rich and heroic history.
Ako a retired teacher of 32 years says since 2012 he and his six grandchildren and neighbourhood kids from Hohola 4 take a stroll down to Ela Beach to witnesses the ceremony.
Meanwhile Ako’s 10 year old grand-daughter Grace loves to see soldiers and police march and feels proud to see the ex-servicemen with all their medals.