01 Mar 2017

As the country commemorated Fallen Heroes under the theme "We Shall Not Forget" in honour of soldiers who died in military service, the Selebi Phikwe Eastern Military Garrison camp joined the rest of the nation to pay their respects.

Speaking during the commemoration at the army base recently, Lieutenant Colonel Mpelegeng Phetu explained that it had been 40 years since the Lesoma ambush took place where 15 soldiers perished in a single account.

“The fallen heroes who were killed during Lesoma ambush, peacekeeping missions and some who departed during training accidents have to be remembered and honoured since they perished while on duty serving the country,” he said.

He said it was important to commemorate, appreciate and celebrate men and women in the army because they sacrificed their lives for the country.

He said the army personnel put duty and the country first to protect the sovereignty, values and national interest of Botswana.

Lt Col Phetu explained that loss of life in the military was inevitable, given the nature of the profession which required one to defend their country by putting their lives in the firing line.

Thus, he urged soldiers on duty to introspect and reflect on the sacrifice they had made for the nation noting that they should feel honoured for the services they were rendering to the civil society.

He applauded the security state of the country saying the serene environment that Batswana were enjoying was and continued to be shaped to a large extent by those who bled for the country.

He said the pain of death was not only felt by them, their families and friends but hit hard most on the hearts of Batswana who had entrusted their security with the BDF.

“While mothers lost their sons and daughters, children lost their parents, Botswana gained security from their sacrifice,” he said.

The commemoration ended with Selebi Phikwe acting district commissioner, Mr Letshwao Mogorosi laying a wreath to honour the fallen heroes and heroines who died in the line of duty. ENDS