Lavenia Volaukitoga, 62, has been honoring the memory of her late husband every Remembrance Day for the past three decades. Accompanied by her granddaughter, she attended the ceremony at the National War Memorial Grounds in Veiuto, Suva, yesterday.
Ms. Volaukitoga lost her husband on June 4, 1994, when he was shot down by Hezbollah during a peacekeeping mission in Lebanon. As a mother of five, she faced immense challenges following his death but has drawn strength from her faith in God. “No matter how painful it was, I chose God, and through that, I was composed and mastered enough courage to take care of our children alone,” she reflected.
For ten years, she raised her children without any compensation from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, working as a market vendor to make ends meet. Ms. Volaukitoga expressed that the financial hardships impacted her children’s futures. It was not until 2006 that she was offered a position as a cleaner at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks office in Suva, a role she held until 2016. Now, she focuses on caring for her grandchildren, with her oldest grandchild recently preparing for critical school examinations.
Her granddaughter, 19-year-old Wakesa Raiwa, shared her admiration for her late grandfather, whom she never met but regards as a heroic figure. “I’m pretty sure I’m not going to follow his footsteps of becoming a soldier, but I dream to become the President one day,” she noted, highlighting her aspirations fueled by the support of her family.
Similarly, Susana Veretawatini, 59, shared her poignant story of loss, having lost her husband, Corporal Lui Veretawatini, in Sinai in 2008. She has attended the Remembrance Day event every year since, cherishing the memories they created as a family. Ms. Veretawatini reflected on the challenges she faced and ultimately found peace and gratitude amidst her struggles.
This Annual Remembrance Day serves as a powerful reminder of sacrifice and resilience, showcasing the strength of families who have endured the pain of losing loved ones in service to their country. Their stories emphasize the importance of remembrance, unity, and hope for future generations.
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