Prime Minister Marape says Remembrance Day is not just a date on the calendar

Papua New Guineans throughout the length and breadth of the country, on July 23 every year remember the heroic courage of its fallen heroes.

Prime Minister James Marape's commemoration address to the nation said “As we gather on this solemn day, July 23, 2024, we find ourselves reflecting on the profound significance of Remembrance Day.

“This day, etched in our history, is a tribute to the courage and sacrifice of our forefathers, yet it remains a story untold to many of our young generation.

“Thousands of our youth today remain unaware of the immense sacrifices made by their grandfathers during World War II and subsequent conflicts. It is a day to honor those who laid down their lives so we could stand here today, free and proud.

“Remembrance Day is not just a date on the calendar; it marks the first engagement between the brave troops of our native Papua Infantry Battalion and the Japanese forces at Awala near Kokoda on this very day in 1942. These brave soldiers fought alongside  Australian comrades in Buna, Gona, Sanananda, and Kumusi in the Northern Province. Today, we commemorate the 82nd anniversary of that historic encounter.

“From the ashes of chaos and the shadows of death emerged the heroic tales of the Kokoda Trail, forging an unbreakable bond between Papua New Guinea and Australia. On this day, in 1942, when Japanese troops landed on our northern shores and began their march over the Owen Stanley Ranges aiming for Port Moresby, it was the unwavering spirit of our soldiers and the selfless support of our villagers that stood as the last line of defense, protecting not just our homeland, but also the mainland of Australia from an imminent threat.

“On Remembrance Day 2024, we stand united in honoring our valiant Pacific Islands Battalion, the countless villagers across Papua New Guinea who were unwillingly drawn into the horrors of WWII, and all members of our disciplined forces who have sacrificed in various conflicts since,” Prime Minister Marape said.