A moment with the Chief

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
TEENAGER Edward William Kaile captured the mood of a grieving nation when he ran, carrying a PNG flag, alongside the cortege of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
On Friday, he was challenged by an aunt to run alongside the casket as it made its way to the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium for the funeral service.
At 5-Mile, the 17-year-old grabbed a PNG flag and ran barefoot alongside the casket until the funeral procession reached the Poreporena Freeway.
On Sunday, Edward, again, ran alongside the cortege making its way to the Jackson Airport for the flight home to Wewak.
He joined the cortege near the end of the Kumul Flyover at Erima and ran alongside the casket to the Apec Terminal at 7-Mile.
Pictures of him running and carrying the PNG flag touched the hearts of many.
His parents are from Tufi in Northern and Makerupu in Central.
He told The National from his home at Gordon in Port Moresby that when he took up the aunt’s challenge, he did not realise that people were taking pictures of him.
All he knew was that he was running with Sir Michael, letting him know that he was there to support him on his final journey.
Kaile knew he was representing the country by carrying the PNG flag alongside the “father of the nation”.
“As I ran, I thought about how this was the last time I would run alongside him,” he said.
“I was proud but also sad that I was saying goodbye to him too.
“To me, it wasn’t a challenge.
“I was doing it to represent everyone around the country.
“When we neared the Apec Terminal gate, I missed a turn and did not finish the run.
“But I was happy I escorted him to the airport. When I returned home, I was told that my picture had gone viral on Facebook.”
Prime Minister James Marape even shared the picture, saying Edward represented the future of Papua New Guineans who would continue the legacy of Sir Michael.
Edward said: “I did it to remember what he did for the country and what I have today is because of him.”

Aust pays tribute to Grand Chief

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was to Australia “a long-standing and respected friend, indeed family”.
In a tribute to Sir Michael in the Australian Parliament, Morrison said PNG “is family to us”.
“The ties are deep, forged at Kokoda, Port Moresby and Milne Bay and remembered at Lae, Rabaul and, of course, Bomana,” he said.
“As prime minister of PNG, Sir Michael worked with Australian prime ministers Gough Whitlam, Malcolm Fraser, Sir Bob Hawke, John Howard, Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.
“But his connection to the leadership of our country goes as far back as the John Gorton government.
“As a young man, Michael Somare championed an independent PNG. And he did so working with Australia.”
Morrison said it was to the credit of so many Australian and Papua New Guinea leaders in the late 1960s and early 1970s that they came to a shared recognition that sovereignty must rest with the people of PNG.
“It was right that many years later, Sir Michael along with Sir John Gorton and Whitlam, received honorary doctorates for delivering independence,” he said.
Morrison said the Australian flag was lowered in PNG but not torn down.
“Sir Michael remained a staunch defender of his country’s independence, proudly, but always appreciated Australia’s unstinting commitment to PNG’s success,” he said.
“He was a great man of faith, he was a great man of conviction and commitment and he will be missed by his many friends in Australia.
“During this time, we are thinking also of Lady Veronica, their children and grandchildren and the entire Somare family.”

Sir Michael laid to rest today, after 18 days of mourning

Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will be buried today at his Kreer Heights property in Wewak after an 18-day national mourning period.
Kreer Heights overlooks Wewak town in East Sepik.
Governor Allan Bird said Sir Michael lived what many admired as a simple but good life.
“Many of his achievements cannot be achieved, but it can be talked about and taught to the younger generation, especially in East Sepik,” he said.
“He has told us already that we have to take care of this country.”
A vigil was held last night at the Sir Michael Somare Stadium on the Prince Charles Oval as Catholics walked from the church to the stadium at about 7pm.
They then spent the night with the casket before it was carried up to Kreer Heights at 6am to be with family.
It will be returned later today for the funeral service.
The burial is expected to be held this afternoon with only family members present.
Prime Minister James Marape left Wewak yesterday but is expected to return today for the final funeral programme.
Deputy PM Sam Basil arrived in Wewak to continue Government representation at the funeral.
Security is tight as no outsider is allowed into the Kreer Heights property when the burial programme starts.
Police commander Supt Albert Beli said police would be controlling the crowd to allow the family to properly farewell Sir Michael.