Veterans Day Observed
Veterans Day Poppy
Yesterday was observed as Veterans Day across the country. It is a day celebrated annually by many nations within the British Commonwealth since 1978 to honor all those who died in the World wars. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month back in 1918, a stop to hostilities was declared, ending World War one with the signing of a treaty called the Armistice by German and its allies.
US President Woodrow Wilson declared the day as “Armistice Day” but after World War Two and the Korean War Armistice Day became Veteran’s Day. In many parts of the world people take a two-minute moment of silence at 11 a.m. as a sign of respect for those who died in the wars. In a message delivered 11 o’clock this morning Acting Governor General and Cabinet Secretary James Murphy highlighted activities held on the local front.
James Murphy; Cabinet Secretary
“We know from our history that the 1914 assassinations of the Arch Duke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo was the spark that ignited the First World War Eventually over 30 countries on five continents slugged on through four years of savage and bloody conflict. On a scale hitherto unseen by human kind some nations lost an entire generation of men. It was called the war to end all wars but it was not. What it did do was provide a glimpse of the way war would be waged in the future. It is an honor to have been asked to deliver this year’s Remembrance Day Message and poppy day appeal on behalf of the Governor General, His Excellency Colville Young. His Excellency is presently out of the country.
On the Sunday nearest to November 11 each year we hold a solemn service in memory of the brave men and women who risked their lives and in many cases gave their lives for the safety of their families and loved ones in the first and second World Wars. At this service which is attended by ex-servicemen and women uniform services, boy scouts and girl guides as well as the public. There is a two minute silence followed by the laying of the traditional poppy wreaths.
The poppy became a symbol of remembrance and reflection because it bloomed across some of the worst battlefields where many soldiers died and were buried during the First World War The red color an appropriate symbol for the blood shed by the trench of war fear. Each year at this time poppies are sold in Belize as in the rest of CARICOM and Common Wealth. Funds raised are used to assist ex-servicemen and women who need it. Many of these veterans are now old sick and disabled.
They have trouble paying their bills and even sometimes finding food to put on the table. I therefore urge you to buy a poppy and when you buy to be as generous as possible in supporting this most worthy cause. The veterans are a part of histories role call of honor, these men and women did not let us down when we needed, neither should we let them down now what they need us.”
In countries such as the United States and France Veterans Day or Remembrance day has been declared a holiday.
Source: LoveFM.com
