PAPUA New Guinea’s National Remembrance Day was marked with a call to look beyond World War II and also honour the pioneers, workers and communities that helped shape the nation.
Prime Minister James Marape said remembrance should extend beyond those who died in the war to include generations of Papua New Guineans whose service, sacrifice and institution-building helped carry the country to independence and beyond.
“As we observe National Remembrance Day, I encourage our people to remember not only soldiers who lost their lives during World War II, but also the many innocent Papua New Guineans whose lives were caught up in a conflict that was never of our making,” he said.
He said Papua New Guinea was “an innocent participant” in a war fought on its soil while it was still under Australian administration, and said local communities endured suffering, displacement and loss.
“We must remember that World War II was not our war. Our people were innocent participants in a conflict that was never ours, yet they endured suffering, displacement and loss. Today we honour their resilience, courage and humanity,” Marape said.
He said the wartime years also helped awaken a stronger national consciousness that later fed into the independence movement. Papua New Guinea became independent in 1975.
Marape paid tribute to founding leaders including Sir John Guise, the early indigenous members of the First Legislative Council and Sir Michael Somare, saying they helped lay the democratic and constitutional foundations of the state.
He also honoured the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, police, correctional services, fire and rescue personnel, public servants, churches, community leaders, teachers, health workers and ordinary citizens for their contribution since independence.
“Remembrance is about every generation that has contributed to our country’s story,” he said.
“It is about those who defended our land, those who built our institutions, those who served our communities, and those who dedicated their lives to making Papua New Guinea a better nation.”
Marape said the country’s 51st independence anniversary gave the day added significance and urged citizens to renew their commitment to national service.
“Those who came before us sacrificed so that we could inherit this nation. Today it becomes our responsibility to ensure we leave behind a stronger, safer and more prosperous Papua New Guinea for our children,” he said.
He called on Papua New Guineans to treat remembrance as a call to action.
“Whatever your hands can find to do, whatever your mind inspires you to accomplish, wherever your feet may take you, and whatever gifts God has given you, use them in service of your country,” he said.
“As we commemorate this National Remembrance Day in the year of our Golden Jubilee, let us reset our minds, recalibrate our purpose, and recommit ourselves to building a nation worthy of the sacrifices of those who came before us.”
