Fijian Prime Minister (PM) Sitiveni Rabuka on Tuesday visited the Matanikau Memorial Site and the U.S. Memorial Site in Central Honiara to pay tribute and honour soldiers who fought and died during second World War II.
He first visited the Matanikau Memorial Site and paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War.
PM Rabuka in his social media post today, Tuesday 9th September said, he laid a wreath in solemn remembrance of the lives lost along the Matanikau River.
“The memorial site stands as a powerful reminder of the fierce battles fought on Guadalcanal, where many Solomon Islanders and Allied forces lost their lives,” he said.
Among those he honored and buried at the Matanikau Memorial site are five identified members of Fiji’s Infantry Regiments.
“These memorials are sacred spaces of remembrance, not only for Solomon Islands but for all Pacific peoples.
“They remind us of the cost of peace and freedom, the value of selflessness, of loyalty and service, and the importance of unity and solidarity as we face today’s global challenges together,” he said.
He also took time to visit the U.S. Memorial Site, which honours the courage and sacrifice of American service personnel during the Battle of Guadalcanal and the wider Pacific theatre.
US Consular Keithie Saunders was present at the U.S Memorial to escort the Fijian Prime Minister during the brief visit.
PM Rabuka is in Honiara for the weeklong 54th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders meeting.
