For sisters Ro Kalesi Rokovusoni and her elder sister, attending the annual Remembrance Day commemoration was a tradition they had upheld for more than four decades in honour of their late father, who served during World War II.

Aged 64 and 70 respectively, the sisters had never missed the annual memorial service since they first began attending in their early twenties.

Their father, Esala Vakacegai, was just 17 years old when he enlisted in the army in 1943 to serve during the Solomon Islands Campaign of World War II.

He was the youngest from the Rewa Province to be enlisted.

Rokovusoni said their father’s military service and the sacrifices he made for the country remained an important part of their family history.

As the youngest of 12 siblings, she said attending the commemoration was a way of keeping his memory alive and paying tribute to the contribution he made to the nation.

She recalled how their father used to share stories of his experiences during the war, including how Fijian soldiers fought in battles and the challenges they faced while serving away from home.

Those stories stayed with the family over the years and strengthened the sisters’ appreciation of the sacrifices made by their father and fellow servicemen.

For Rokovusoni and her sister, Remembrance Day was not simply an annual gathering but an opportunity to honour their father’s legacy and remember the many Fijians who answered the call to serve their country.

Their continued attendance reflected their family’s enduring gratitude and commitment to ensuring the sacrifices of the past were never forgotten.

By: Litia Rabua