A ‘true military man’ he was: Wife of pioneering Fijian UN peacekeeper recalls memory
The widow of a pioneering Republic of Fiji Military Forces United Nations peacekeeper yesterday described her husband as a ‘true military man’.
The late Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Peni Navukivuki was the first lot of RFMF soldiers deployed to serve under the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 1978.
His wife, Aliti Navukivuki, yesterday recalled memories of her husband at the launch of the 40th Anniversary of Fiji’s contribution to the United Nations in Suva. Ms Navukivuki, 52, of Viwa in Bau, Tailevu, was there to represent her late husband among veterans, soldiers and guests.
She said she was proud and emotional to do so especially at an event which recognised their hard work and sacrifices for their country. Yesterday, she donned the medals that her husband had received over the years for his service.
In 1978, WO2 Navukivuki left for Lebanon for a six-month stint then returned for a year in 1981, then again in 1993, she said.
His last peacekeeping mission was in 2000 in East Timor for six months. He retired in 2001 and died in 2012 of natural causes.
“I met my husband at Bowling Club where I used to work at in 1991. We got married in the same year and later had three children,” Ms Navukivuki.
“He was a true military man. He was strict and had discipline at home as well. He always made sure that our children were well disciplined and had a life like he had with strict rules to ensure they did not divert from their pathway to build themselves.
“He was a great husband and father to my children and we all are very proud of his achievements and where he stood in terms of the family and the military.”