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Commemoration of the 82nd anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal highlights sacrifices and calls for global peace
Eighty-two years ago, the Battle of Guadalcanal commenced with an amphibious attack by 6,000 men of the U.S. 1st Marine Division on Japanese defenders on Guadalcanal and Florida Island. Today, this significant event remains entrenched in world history. At the US War Memorial at Skyline Ridge, stone wall monuments inscribed with the historical events of the Battle of Guadalcanal serve as a heartfelt reminder of what occurred on August 7, 1942.
Early Morning Tribute
During the early morning service, the sound of bagpipes filled the air as tribute was paid to the valiant men who fought against the Japanese army. Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele, Members of Parliament, the US Ambassador to Solomon Islands, the Diplomatic Corps, members of the US Navy, and many others attended the memorial ceremony.
Prime Minister Manele emphasized the need to safeguard and protect peace. He urged global leaders to embrace peace over war, citing the Guadalcanal campaign as strong evidence of the catastrophic nature of conflict. “Today we can only draw lessons from these conflicts,” Manele said. He highlighted the sacrifices of the brave men who secured the country’s future.
Honoring Sacrifices
US Ambassador Ann Yastishock praised the devotion of those who fought. “Through their steadfast devotion to their beliefs, their lands, and most importantly, to one another, they gave the ultimate sacrifice to secure peace on Guadalcanal,” Yastishock said. The Guadalcanal Campaign was a decisive point in the Pacific Theater of World War II, codenamed Operation Watchtower by American forces, and lasted from August 7, 1942, to February 9, 1943.
Remembering the Scouts and Coastwatchers
After the commemoration program at the Skyline Memorial, tribute was paid to the Solomon Islands Scouts and Allied Coastwatchers at Commonwealth Street. Families, friends, and former foes gathered to remember the bravery of the locals and coastwatchers during the war. “I often remember my grandfather on days like these,” said Regina Vouza, granddaughter of the late Scout, Sir Jacob Vouza.
Sir Jacob Vouza, a Sergeant-Major, received the King George VI Coronation Medal in 1938 and the Colonial Police and Fire Brigades Medal. When World War II reached the Solomon Islands, Vouza enlisted in the Solomon Islands Defence Force and led scout patrols on Guadalcanal. Despite being captured and brutally tortured by the Japanese, he refused to provide any information and eventually escaped, though his voice never fully recovered from the ordeal.
Tribute and Legacy
Prime Minister Manele honored both the Allied Forces and local heroes who aided them in the war against the Japanese army. He joined the many other family members, diplomatic corps to lay a wreath to commemorate these local heroes. The legacy of the Solomon Islanders and Allied Coastwatchers is enshrined at the entrance to Honiara’s central jetty at the seaward end of Commonwealth Street. Today, the street came alive with a colorful parade as Honiara remembered the bravery of those who fought in the war 82 years ago.
