Military send-off stirs up emotion

COVER STORY

By JACK NOAH YAMAHA
DEATH is of course an inevitable experience that everyone born into the world has to face at any time regardless of whoever you are.
And the endurance of pain and grief at the loss of a beloved family member or a friend is also an experience one cannot avoid in life for so long as we live.
Thursday, March 21, 2024 was a fateful and painful day for the families and friends of late Warrant Officer Moses Wambi. The news of his sudden death without a single word in his home at Taurama Barracks in Port Moresby shattered his families and his colleagues at the PNG Defence Force (PNGDF).
Moses Wambi who was in his 50s, served the PNGDF for over 30 years and was at the pinnacle of becoming a chief warrant officer – the highest rank of non-commissioned officers in the military.
After a two-months following his passing, late Moses Wambi’s body was repatriated to Maia village in Pangia, Southern Highlands. A group of eight soldiers from Taurama Baracks and seven other comrades were in Ialibu-Pangia electorate to accord a final military send-off of one of their finest colleagues for the last time.

Some things didn’t go well as expected, nevertheless, late Moses Wambi’s comrades performed regular military rites that brought tears to many including the soldiers themselves and those who came to get a last glimpse of a peace-loving soldier whose ever-smiling face lay in a coffin wrapped with the flag that he has served with distinction over three decades.
Moses was a grade six drop-out but his sheer determination and perseverance brought him to the verge of gaining the highest rank in the PNGDF non-commissioned officer structure.
Regrettably, many were caught by surprise when hearing of his sudden passing without a word has chattered the hearts of many loved ones and friends who knew him. He was also a humble religious leader who gave his entire life serving his Maker and spent his pastime taking children to music classes and getting flowers in readiness for Sunday service with a Living Hope International Missions ministries for over seven years. His spiritual leader and mentor, Pastor Robin Pilpal expressed spoke fondly of the exemplary life of his late deacon and laymen pastor saying late Moses was a sold-out religious man. Ps Pilpal recalled a conversation with the late soldier after a meal at a restaurant at Vision City when he said; “Pastor all that I see in here I have experienced in my former life and I know very well that I have no intention whatsoever of going back to that place again.”
I also had a close relationship with the late Moses and can only agree with what Ps Pilpal said about him. I have experienced the countless good deeds of his. With everyone he had known he was the go-to-man when they needed comfort and care.

He was a born orator and more than a loving father, not only to his own children but also many children who seemed to be missing a father-like figure or companionship.
Sometimes we in his family and tribal circles tried to propose a negative agenda in discussions and Moses would listen attentively and await his right moment to speak. And when everybody has had his or her say, Moses would give his view and that has never disappointed or upset anyone. As a true gentleman and officer, he chose his words carefully to summarise all that has been said.
There are many friends or acquaintances who may have had close interactions with Moses who would also agree with me about the life he lived.
He has done many other good things in the military which he served and even impacted many lives and his memory will be dearly forever.
When the PNGDF soldiers performed their normal final rites at the resting site of their fallen comrade at the main village cemetery on the evening of May 4, that brought everyone to tears and wailing uncontrollably.
Late Moses’ comrade’s final send-off rituals were so emotional and fitting for a serving soldier who had pledged allegiance and to serve Papua New Guinea with pride by donning the green uniform which he cherished dearly even to his death.
The village leaders expressed their sincere gratitude to the defence force for bringing his body and according their beloved soldier son and brother the traditional military rites.

The memorable rites ended well before the evening monsoonal downpour that continued throughout the night till the next day which did not even deter final process of customary obligations to complete the funeral procession.
After two days, the village elders and neighboring communities took part in local Pangia traditional custom of contributing pigs and cash to assist the grieving family members towards haus krai.
The final part of the ceremony, on May 6 was only accorded to ‘mama lain’ or mother’s brothers and sisters who received pigs and cash as a token of appreciation as Moses was an offspring of their tribe.
Many people braved the soggy conditions to witness the final customary initiations, especially to witness the Leri tribe receiving money and pigs from late Moses Wambi’s four tribes of Maia village; Kambiri, Yowarene, Wiliri and Makari. Such an initiation is normally performed in the traditional Pangia custom.