Remembrance Day should be a time to reflect on the importance of peace and respect for one another in the community, said Catholic Archbishop of Mt Hagen Douglas Young.
Archbishop Young said Papua New Guinea has serious ongoing issues with violence of all forms including violence against women and children and it was events like Remembrance Day that challenges people to live in peace and harmony in the communities.
Archbishop Young who is also the Chairman of the Divine Word University Council made the remarks as the guest speaker at the Remembrance Day dawn service at the Coast Watchers Memorial Lighthouse at Kalibobo in Madang town yesterday (today Thu 23/07/15) where about 5000 people attended.
Archbishop Young said while Remembrance Day was a time to pay homage to those who lost their lives for the country in World War 2, it was also an opportunity to reflect on the need to keep peace and order in the communities that those who died in the war fought for.
He said an occasion like Remembrance Day “is not a time to celebrate war” but to appreciate peace and harmony in the communities of PNG and continue to maintain it.
Fr Peter Hunter of the Anglican Church said “God has given us beautiful and need to respect it” by being good stewards.
The Remembrance Day commemoration in Madang was organized by the business community lead by the Melanesian Tourist Services (MTS) and the provincial government.
The managing director of MTS Sir Peter Barter thanked the contributors and participants on behalf of the organisers.
“We are very grateful to all the business houses that contributed towards the event,” said Sir Peter.
“And that pleased we are attracting what appears to be the largest number to the Remembrance Day Services which involved most churches, PNG Maritime College, DWU Students, the Provincial Government and Administration and in particular the volunteers from the Madang Resort who willingly worked without any form of compensation simply to remember all those who have helped make PNG the nation we enjoy today,” Sir Peter said.
Picture: Lone soldier from the PNG Defence Force and final year Bachelor of Business Management student at DWU, Captain Raymond Pakii pays respect to the fallen at the Remembrance Day dawn service in Madang yesterday (today, Thu 23/07).