ADDRESS AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE 100th YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE POPPY APPEAL
October 1, 2021 State House, Suva.
Your Excellency Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Former President and Honourable Speaker of Parliament;
The Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing, Rural and Maritime Development and Disaster Management, Honourable Inia Seruiratu;
The Commander RFMF, Brigadier-General Jone Kalouniwai;
The Commissioner of Police, Brigadier-General Sitiveni Qiliho;
The Commissioner of Correction Services, Commander Francis Kean;
Brigadier-General Apakuki Kurusiga, Commander of The TF Brigade;
LT Col Volavola – President of RESA;
Retired and Current Members, Officers, Senior Non Commissioned Officers, Rank & File of the Disciplined Forces;
The Defence Attaches/Advisers & Friends from The Diplomatic Corps.
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Ni sa Bula Vinaka and a Very Good Morning To You All!
As Patron of our Beloved Nation - Fiji’s - Returned Soldiers/Sailors - Ex-Service Men/Women Association, it gives me great pleasure to warmly welcome you all to the State House on behalf of my wife, Sarote and the Staff – and thank you most sincerely for availing your goodselves to attend this morning’s historical and auspicious occasion ; - The Launch of the 100th Year - Centennial Anniversary of the Remembrance Day Poppy Appeal which originated and was embraced by Humanity – following Madame Anna Guérin who was christened and affectionately known as – “The Poppy Lady from France,” further inspired by the Poet John Macrae’s “In Flanders Field,” – Words and thoughts which blossomed and manifested into A Noble Idea: To adopt the sale and distribution of the Poppy on Armistice Day following the end of the First World War in 1918 – An annual event which should be celebrated and commemorated annually as a tribute to remember the Fallen, Liberty and Freedom.
The Poppy became the accepted symbol and universally adopted as the Flower of Remembrance - and the subsequent popularity of this Annual Event over the past decades of War and Peace is to be a Means to Remind Present and Future generations of our global community about the Horrors of War, but more importantly the Sacrifices made by Brave Men and Women who perished in Conflict within the past 100 years or so in order that Peace could forever reign worldwide today.
“Lest We Forget,” is the Catchcry and Rallying Theme for the Memories of those Brave Souls who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in our Collective Endeavour to attain lasting Peace, Compassion and Prosperity for Humanity, for - “They Willingly and Selflessly - Gave Their Today For Our Tomorrow”. Furthermore, the Poppy Appeal is also our Modest and Humble way of Remembering and Honouring The Memories of The Fallen by raising funds for All Veterans’ Needs and those of The Families who were left behind.
A Noble and Worthwhile Initiative that We of Today should Revere and Cherish as our Mark of Respect and Reverence for those of our Forefathers who gave up their young and precious lives in past Conflicts to enable Today’s and Future generations of The Sorrows and Hardship consequent upon perpetual Conflict and War.
Therefore, let us be Appreciative and Grateful for their Individual and Collective Sacrifices in Humanity’s longing and search for Everlasting Peace for us to be able to Live Peacefully as Responsible and Peace Loving global citizens in a World which is often plagued by numerous challenges which can result in further conflict.
Today, consequent upon the ravages of the present COVID-19 Pandemic, we will now have to adjust our lives to the “New Norm,” but in doing so, let us continue to appreciatively/gratefully Acknowledge and Commemorate Remembrance Day/Veterans’ Day as some Member States prefer to call it, by reminding our young generation of today of our rather turbulent and violent past – and more importantly, WHY it is so imperative that we all learn from Humanity’s past mistakes when more powerful and resourceful Nations resort to Conflict in their individual or collective Lust for Power and Economic Dominance over weaker and less influential opponents.
Our global community is presently gripped and grappling with the traumatic and deadly effects of The COVID-19 Pandemic – in fact, we are fighting a different kind of War/Battle against a Present, Real and Very Deadly Threat which has continued to adversely affect Social Cohesion, Political Stability and Economic Progress & Prosperity worldwide.
Our National Effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Virus continues and at this juncture, I believe it prudent that we pay tribute to our Frontline Workers – The Doctors/Nurses and Hardworking Officials – Discipline Force Members and Other Government/Private Agencies for their tremendous efforts in trying to contain the deadly spread of The Virus - and at the same time, offer our condolence and sympathy for those members of our community who had sadly, lost loved ones to this dreaded Virus.
As we Launch this month Long Poppy Appeal today, Let us continue to Care for Each Other, Be Compassionate and try to be more Considerate and Helpful to those Less Fortunate in our Community.
Similarly, as we Remember The Fallen, by supporting The 100th Anniversary Poppy Appeal this year, let us also Reflect and Reminisce on the Significance and Impact of this Globally celebrated Event by re-freshing our knowledge and understanding of Lawrence Binyon’s famous Tribute For The Fallen which reads:
“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.
Presently, we have Men and Women of The Republic of Fiji Military Force and Police Force deployed on United Nations and Regional Peacekeeping/Support Operations in some of Today’s World most troublesome, dangerous and volatile Conflict Zones, so let us Remember them too - let us Pray for their Safety and Well-being – and those of their various Families who are back here, holding the Home Front.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank You for Your Attention and Attendance and I deem it a Great Honour and Pleasure to Launch this 100th Year Anniversary of The Poppy Appeal, Today.
Vinaka Vakalevu and may Almighty God continue to be Merciful, Forgiving and Bless our Beloved Nation and People – and the rest of Humanity.
Thank You!