by Lamantha Lano
An event to honour Solomon Islands scouts and coastwatchers for their efforts and contributions in World War II will be held on 7 August in Honiara.
Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, government ministers, diplomatic representatives and other dignitaries are expected to attend the ceremony, which will start at the US memorial at Skyline Ridge and close at the Coastwatchers Monument at the Commonwealth Street, Point Cruz.
This annual event is being organised by the Solomon Scouts and Coastwatcher’s Trust (SSCW).
A spokesperson for SSCW, Keithie Saunders explained that SSCW was established in 2011 to “recognise the courage, loyalty and sacrifice of Solomon Islands men and women fighting for the Allied cause during one of the most decisive battles in the Pacific during World War 11”.
Saunders said the monument to the “Coastwatcher’s and Solomon Scouts” stands at the seafront end of Commonwealth Street, and known as the ‘Pride of Our Nation’, was crafted by Frank Haiku, and officially dedicated by then Governor General, Sir Frank Kabui on the 7th August 2011.
“Every year since then, a ceremony honoring the Solomon Scouts and Coastwatcher’s follows from the US memorial commemorations at Skyline Ridge,” Saunders said.
She added the family of past Solomon Scouts will be receiving a medal from the Australian Defence Attache Commander Justin Bywater, honouring the service of their forefathers (all living scouts have since passed on). The medals were minted in Australia, as the Coastwatcher’s were an initiative of the Australian Navy.
Saunders said this year there are nine recipients who received medals to honour their fathers’ efforts during WW11.
The ceremony will include keynote speaker, Regina Vouza, granddaughter of the famous Scout, Sir Jacob Vouza, from Guadalcanal.
Regina will speak about her grandfathers’ bravery during the occupation of Guadalcanal.
Wreaths will be invited to lay at the base of the Monument “Pride of our Nation”
The Royal Solomon Islands Police band, US Color Guard and a contingent from the Solomon Island Boys scout’s association will march down Commonwealth Street and stand guard during the ceremony.
Solomon Islands scouts and coastwatchers played a significant role in the Second World War on Guadalcanal by helping the Allied Forces against the Imperial Japanese Army.
In his book the Coastwatchers, Eric Feldt, commander of the coastwatchers throughout the Pacific, wrote:
“The coastwatchers ‘played a vital part in these operations, a part so important that without them the whole course of the war in the Pacific would have been drastically changed.”