Papua New Guinea joint force DPR/TV/1546

To mark the end of 12 months outstation duty at Igam Barracks, Lae, B Company of 1st Battalion, The Pacific Islands Regiment, held a ceremonial parade and Mu Mu (pron: Moo Moo) to which veterans of the WWII Papua and New Guinea Infantry Battalions living in Lae were invited. Before the parade the work of preparing the feast which was to follow began. The Mu Mu pit was lined with the leaves of banana palms and then the hot stones which will provide the heat to cook the meat are placed in position. Then in goes the pork which has been cut into convenient joints and this is covered with vegetables and sweet corn. The whole lot is covered with more banana palms and left for several hours. Meanwhile the farewell parade, the last at Igam before B Company returns to its home barracks in Port Moresby, is held before an appreciative audience of old soldiers, wives, families and representatives of other units at Lae. The Commander of Lae area, Lieutenant Colonel Peter Cole, reviewed the parade which was commanded by the OC B Company, Major M. McCallum. The pipes and drums of 2nd Battalion, PIR, were also on parade. After the ceremonial the Mu Mu pit was opened and all got down to the task of disposing of the succulent meat and tender vegetables.