Military commander marks birthday with our men in Australia
Our muddy-looking Fijian soldiers continue to serve our Pacific neighbour, Australia, recover from the devastating bushfires. They help with distinction, joy and dedication.
Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) Commander Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto yesterday celebrated his 59th birthday and visited the Fijian troops helping out near Orbost Town in Victoria, Australia. Rear Admiral Naupoto said seeing the troops happy and cheerful made his day. “This will be a birthday that I will remember for a long time. Just to see them happy and cheerful despite the hard work they are doing is just wonderful,” he said.
Australia’s Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds, took to social media to wish Rear Admiral Naupoto happy birthday.
“It has been a wonderful opportunity to come in and visit our troops who are working here in Victoria to assist in the recovery after the devastating bushfire that passed,” Rear Admiral Naupoto said.
“I visited the two teams today. One of the team is here helping clear the roads, cutting down trees and it is good to see that our people are operating the big machines. “Our troops are well. Their morale is high, they are enjoying the work they are doing and according to our friends over here they are happy with the way they are performing their duties. Hopefully, it will carry on into the future as they try to do as much as they can before we finish.”
Rear Admiral Naupoto also sent out a message from Australia to the families of the troops saying they were doing well.
“They look muddy and dirty while they are here doing their job, but you can almost touch the warm feeling that they have in being able to come here and help,” he said. The Fijian troops are divided into two teams, clearing roads in the interior and creating fire breaks near the coastal region where there is still fire burning.