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‘Once I saw his essay book placed underneath his bed one day. He wrote a story on his ambition to be a soldier… Today reminds me that book has come alive’
Republic of Fiji Military Forces returning officers who served with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan arrive into Nadi on July 22, 2019.
Elena Lawakeli was left with tears of joy when she welcomed home her son, a soldier returning from a tour of duty in the Golan Heights, at the Nadi
international Airport yesterday. Private Romanu Lawakeli’s return home is also significant for his 62-year-old widowed mother, because this was the first time that she had to welcome back her son, without her husband by her side. “I am very much touched today,” Mrs Lawakeli said.
“I am all alone to receive my son from his tour of duty return. Before, I would accompany his late dad everywhere even to witness his graduation. Today he is not here.” Mrs Lawakeli said it had been her son’s drive to go into military service since he was a Year Nine student.
“Once I saw his essay book placed underneath his bed one day. He
I am all alone to receive my son from his tour of duty return. Before, I would accompany his late dad everywhere even to witness his graduation. Today he is not here.
Elena Lawakeli Widow and mother of Private Romanu Lawekeli
wrote a story on his ambition to be a soldier, but it did not mean anything to me then.
“Today reminds me that book has come alive. Romanu is following his dream career, which kept his dad and I happy.
Private Lawakeli was among the group of 27 members of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force who arrived home from serving nine months in the Golan Heights.
He joined the Republic of Fiji Military Forces after completing school and says he has no regrets. Among the group yesterday were three officers who acknowledged their final tour of duty as they plan to retire next year.
These officers were Corporal Isei Navugavuga (of Navoci, Nadi), Sergeant Jeremaia Naibulisau (Bukavu, Kadavu) and Warrant Officer II Lekima Tikoigiladi (Raralevu, Bau, Tailevu).
Warrant Officer II Tikoigiladi is looking forward to celebrating his belated birthday this week.
“I turned 54 on July 19 and will listen to what my family has decided at home. It is good to be back it has been a long career,” he said.
He has served nine tours of duty to Sinai, Lebanon (2), Golan (2) and one each to East Timor, and Iraq.