In solemn remarks at the War Memorial Cenotaph on Sunday morning, His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali honoured the men and women who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars. He said their sacrifice still stregthens Guyana’s resolve to work for a world at peace.
As Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the president led the nation’s Remembrance Day Commemoration Ceremony and laid the first wreath at the foot of the monument at the junction of Main and Church Streets, in tribute to the soldiers and auxiliaries who never returned home.
“We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom,” President Ali said.
He then turned to those who have made similar personal sacrifices in the decades since, in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression. Their example, he said, keeps alive the hope of a world at peace with justice and prosperity for all peoples.
“On this solemn occasion, we, the citizens of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, rededicate ourselves to the search for peace everywhere and renew our commitment to the development and well-being of our beloved country,” the president declared.
The ceremony included a parade by the Guyana Defence Force, the presidential salute, the last post, two minutes of silence and the Reveille, followed by the laying of wreaths.
The Cenotaph was unveiled in 1923 and is Guyana’s principal war memorial. Its four faces carry the words devotion, humanity, fortitude and sacrifice.
Remembrance Sunday is commemorated on the second Sunday of November. Remembrance Day, or Poppy Day, is observed on November 11 annually by Commonwealth countries to honour those who died in the wars. British Guianese soldiers served and fought in Egypt, France, Belgium, and East Africa. [DPI]
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