SOLDIERS of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces gathered at a dawn service yesterday to remember the lives of the three soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the 2000 mutiny.
Led by the Prime Minister and the Commander of the RFMF Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama, soldiers and members of the Fiji Navy gathered at Queen Elizabeth Barracks to pay homage to the three fallen soldiers.
On November 2, 2000 the sound of gunfire shattered the calm of the QEB as rebel soldiers and loyalists fought for control.
In the ensuing battle, Corporal Simione Rawaileba, Private Osea Rokosirinavosa and Private Jone Temo Veilewai were fatally wounded before order was restored and the rebel soldiers captured.
Each of the three fallen soldiers left behind loving families, who will never forget that day and neither would the RFMF.
In the presence of senior military officers, the Commissioner of Police, Commissioner of Prisons and families of the three fallen soldiers yesterday, Commodore Bainimarama paid respect to the three fallen soldiers.
Commodore Bainimarama said the RFMF would not forget the men and neither should the rest of Fiji.
His words were punctuated by the reading of an extract from Laurence Binyon's poem "For the Fallen."
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
"We will remember them.
"Lest we Forget".