Commemoration ceremonies of the 40th anniversary of Fiji-UN Peacekeepers will be held around the country to honour the courage and sacrifice of our Fijian men and women who have served in missions abroad.

According to the Prime Minister and former Peacekeeper Voreqe Bainimarama for over four decades, Fijian Peacekeepers have answered the call of the vulnerable, bravely risking their lives for the sake of peace when needed.

Meanwhile during the commemoration church service on Sunday, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Former President and First Commanding Officer for Battalion one dash two under the UNFIL umbrella in 1978, vividly remembered the day they departed for the first UN mission.

“The mood was merry at that time until I got to a message where we are going. To Lebanon, we will be up against one of the fiercest guerilla organizations in the world and some of us won’t be coming back.There was total silence and all we heard was a slow weeping of mothers, wives and children.”

Fijian Peacekeepers have carried a proud legacy that goes as far back as World War One.