Every Remembrance Day, I remember and honour my father, the late SIP J.G Howard and all those he served with in the RPNGC from pre-Independence years until the late 1980s.
I grew up as a son of a serviceman in many beautiful parts of PNG wherever my father was posted, including Gordons Barracks where I was born, Tomaringa Barracks in the East New Britain province, Wapenamanda and Wabag in the Enga Province, Wara Kum in Mt Hagen, Lae in the Morobe Province, and Police College Bomana.
My late father and his colleagues served throughout the Highlands region during peace time, and also during times of conflict. There was one time when a tribal fight in Enga spilt past the Lai River and into Town as we stood on our veranda on the slopes of Sangurap and watched the movie-like scenes unfold less than 100 meters below. Arrows and spears cut through the air as if in slow motion. It was frightening and yet, like poetry in motion.
Servicemen and servicewomen worked hard to maintain peace in the region during that era no high powered weapons of today, so building relationships with the communities was one of their greatest 'weapons'. The concept of winning 'hearts and minds' was practiced by the RPNGC in the Highlands region long before the US made it popular in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I grew up having many friends from Enga. They are some of the best people you can find anywhere on the planet. If you considered as part of their community, they will protect you with such fierce loyalty, it can be frightening to others.
It was an era when buai was as abundant in Wabag and Mt Hagen as snow is on Ela Beach. These townships were clean and well maintained. I travelled to Mt Hagen recently after being away for almost 35 years, and the filth I saw all over the 'city' was disturbing.
My father also served the Momase region whilst based in the Northern Command in Lae, Morobe Province. Lae of the 80s was green, clean and uncluttered. It was not dusty and as pothole ridden as today.
He was finally transferred to Police College Bomana and served as an Instructor. He taught both cadets and recruits, and served with some of the country's finest officers including Inguba, Tasion, Fowler, Eluh (who is to his right in the picture), Sobi, Kanawi, Nenta, Yarume, Huafolo, Vaki, Baki, Bonner, Labi, and many others.
Theirs were the days when the No.1 was worn with pride. Uniforms were starched and pressed to a crease, with boots and gaiters spit polished. There was no mismatch of the No.1 and field gear some tend to dress in today. As sons of servicemen in those days, it was our duty to starch and iron our fathers' uniforms, and to polish their boots, gaiters and belts until we could see our own reflection in them.
Sergeant Majors and their yard-sticks were to be feared and avoided. When the bugle sounded at 6:00 a.m. or 6:00 p.m., you are to standfast no matter where you are in the College.
Operational and administrative commands, including transfer orders were obeyed and complied with. Commanding officers rarely made 'appeals' to units.
My father's service in the RPNGC gave my brother (who serves in the PNGDF), and my sisters and I the grounding and upbringing we were privileged to have as children of a serviceman during an era when PNG was a much simpler society.
RIEP SIP J.G Howard. I remember you and all those you served with in the service of Our Country.
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