From the Prime Minister's Office Tuesday 11 November 2008: His Majesty, King George Tupou V, led the Remembrance Sunday 2008 Commemorative Service at the Cenotaph at Pangai Si’i in Nuku’alofa on Sunday, 9 November.

The Remembrance Sunday service honours soldiers from Commonwealth and Allied countries who died in the first and second World Wars as well as those who died in more recent conflicts. This year’s ceremony also marked the 90th Anniversary of the end of the First World War.

The commemorative service in Nuku’alofa began at 12.00 o’clock with the firing of a single gun salute which signaled the beginning of the observance of two-minutes Silence. The end of the period of Silence was also signaled by another single gun salute. This was followed by the playing of “The Last Post” and the laying of wreath at the Cenotaph.

His Majesty, King George Tupou V, led the laying of wreaths followed by the Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon Feleti Vaka’uta Sevele; the Acting Minister for Defense, Hon Sonatane Tu’akinamolahi Taumoepeau Tupou; the Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Mr. Bruce Hunt; the New Zealand High Commissioner, H.E. Ms. Christine Bogle; and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, H.E. Mr. Fan Guijin. They were followed by the Honorary Consuls of the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and France as well as the Commander of the Tonga Defence Services and a representative of the Veterans and Ex-Servicemen’s association and families.

Following the laying of wreaths, the Prologue was delivered by Rev Alifeleti Atiola (Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga) part of which read, “On this day we recall those who, in the great tragedy of war gave their lives for Tonga and for the freedom of mankind, who still sleep in lands away from their homes and friends, or in unknown resting places in every continent and every seas….” This was followed by a series of Prayers offered by Monsignor Sione Laina Katoa (Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Niue), Rev Dr. Tu’ipulotu Katoanga (Church of Tonga) and President Rev. Luke Sikalu (Constitutional Church of Tonga).

Issued by: PMO Website Bureau, Prime Minister's Office, P.O. Box 62, Nuku'alofa, Tonga.
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