RAMSI remembers

Representative of US Pacific Command Adm Fargo US Col Jerry Shaw, US WW2 veterans Theron Mackay and Ralph Wheaton, US Consular agent Mrs Kethie Saunders, USMC attaché Maj Stuart McNelly, US attaché Col Andrew Manulle and Commander Combined Task Force, Maj Mick Gallegos. Photo by Capt Andrew Bird, 1JPAU

By Capt Andrew Bird in Honiara

THE Solomon Islands and United States National Flags stood side by side at the US War Memorial in Honiara, Solomon Islands, as former veterans and guests paid their respect for those who fought and gave their lives for peace in the Solomon Islands back in August 1942.

ADF personnel, deployed as part of RAMSI, joined their United States Marine Corps mates who had made the long journey to mark the occasion.

Speaking during the ceremony representative of US Pacific Command Adm Fargo, with USMC Col Jerry Shaw said it was the team work of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and Papua New Guinea that helped the Americans.

“Though these incidents happened 62 years ago, time has not reduced the impact of this campaign either in the hearts and spirits of the men who fought here, or in the legacy they have passed to the current generation” he said.

“The bond of friendship forged between the allies during WWII campaign still continues today.”