25 Feb 2015

President Lt. Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama, also Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, is expected to attend Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Fallen Heroes Day at Three Dikgosi Monument in Gaborone on Friday (February 27). 

Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, dikgosi and other dignitaries are expected to attend the event. A press release from the BDF stated that other commemoration ceremonies would be held in Francistown, Thebephatshwa Air Base, Selebi Phikwe and other BDF installations at 8am on the same day.  

The Fallen Heroes Day is an annual occurrence intended to honour all service members who passed on in the service to the nation.

The day would also bring awareness about contributions the defence force made to the nation through selfless personal sacrifice by individual BDF personnel. Again, the event accorded all citizens opportunity to reflect and recognise contributions made by service members to their general security and peace. 

The release further stated that sacrifices made by the fallen heroes were commemorated, lived and highlighted in BDF activities to recognise the sacrifices made in the past and which will be made in the future in defence of the Republic.

BDF this year has extended the commemoration to include World War veterans and other personnel who have made significant contributions to the national security. The Fallen Heroes Day commemoration began on February 27, 2011 primarily to remember the 15 BDF members who were killed at the Lesoma Ambush on April 27, 1978 by the Rhodesian Regime.

Following the initial commemoration, a deliberate decision was taken to recognise other fallen heroes who met their demise in line of duty such as Peace Support Operation, Inter Regional Deployments, local deployments and training, among others.The public, World War Veterans and relatives of members of the BDF who lost their lives in the line of duty are encouraged to attend.  ENDS