Large crowd witnesses trooping of the colours
Yesterday’s Fiji Day Celebrations featured a military event, not seen by many people, especially those in the Western Division.
This was the Trooping of Colours of the Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment or otherwise known as the 3FIR Colours. Trooping the colours is a ceremony performed by the British and Commonwealth armies. It has been a tradition of British infantry regiments since the 17th century, although the roots go back much earlier.
A regiment’s colour embodies its spirit and service, as well as its fallen soldiers.
The loss of a colour or the capture of an enemy colour was respectively considered the greatest shame or the greatest glory on a battlefield. Consequently, regimental colours are venerated by officers and soldiers of all ranks, second to the sovereign.
Yesterday’s Fiji Day Parade saw the absence of the Naval Detachment. This is due to the very reason that the trooping was specifically for the Third Battalion Fiji Infantry Regiment colours.
The Republic of Fiji Military Forces prides itself with this British tradition of colours and banners.
For the infantry battalions, the First Battalion is in the Golan Heights, Lebanon and Iraq and the 1FIR colour is stationed with the troops serving in the Golan Heights.
With the Second Battalion, the colours are stationed with the troops in the Sinai Peninsula. The home based 3FIR’s colour was witnessed by thousands during the celebration.
The troops on parade were drawn from the 3FIR sub units across Fiji which includes A,B,C and support Companies in Suva, D company in Nadi, E company in Lautoka and G company from Vanua Levu. The Parade was commanded by the Commanding Officer of the Third Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Penioni Naliva.
The Parade 2 IC was Major Hiagi Ieli and the Parade Adjutant was led by Lieutenant Ilaitia Kirisitiana. The Parade Regimental Sergeant Major was Warrant Officer Class One Emori Ratokalau.