Daru celebrates Remembrance Day

Western Province marked Remembrance Day on Thursday with a solemn ceremony in Daru, honoring local men who served as carriers and guides during the Kokoda Campaign in World War Two.

Provincial Administrator Robert Alphonse Kaiyun delivered the keynote address, remembering the sacrifices of Western Province men who supported the allied soldiers [Australia and United States] along the Kokoda track.

"For us from Western Province, we stood together along the track. We guided our soldiers through the jungles and mountains. They were called the 'Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels'. But to us, we remember that they were our families," Mr Kaiyun said.

He highlighted the role of the province during the war.

"During the war, our waters, our waterfronts, and our people were part of the defence of our country. Today, Western Province is a province of resilience, of looking out for each other,"he said.

Speaking to students, families of the veterans, community leaders, public and the Western Provincial Administration staff who gathered for the event, Mr Kaiyun said remembrance must go beyond ceremonies.

"Remembrance is not just the past. It's about the values that they have left behind for us. Courage is when things are hard. Sacrifice for others. If we live these values today, in our schools, in our homes, in our workplaces, in how we serve our province and country ,then we honour them properly," he said.
He closed with a direct call to the younger generation.

"We say names and we observe silence. But more than that, we must make a promise that we will remember them," Mr Kaiyun said.

Meantime, wreaths were laid. Heads bowed down and for a minute Daru stood still to remember.
Lest We Forget.