Features

Acting PM Calls For Greater Recognition, Knowledge of Local War Veterans

Image: Ex-Servicemen and families of veterans.

PRESS RELEASE – AS he addressed the annual Remembrance Day ceremony of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League on Sunday, Acting Prime Minister Guy Joseph stressed the need for all Saint Lucians to be more knowledgeable about our country’s role in the wars of history.

Image: Acting Prime Minister, Guy Joseph, lays a wreath at Choc Cemetery.
Acting Prime Minister, Guy Joseph, lays a wreath at Choc Cemetery.

The ceremony took place at the Official Residence of the Prime Minister, following the laying of wreaths at memorials throughout Castries, including Derek Walcott Square, George V Park and Choc Cemetery.

Said Minister Joseph: ā€œI am truly humbled to be in the company of our ex-service men, and women and their families and to have taken part in the ceremonies of remembrance.ā€

Joseph noted that not enough is known, especially by our young people, about the brave men and women from Saint Lucia and the West Indies.

ā€œWe had faithful, brave Saint Lucians who put their lives on the line to allow us to be born in a part of the world where freedom is something we can treasure,ā€ he noted. ā€œWe did not inherit that by our own doing. It was these brave soldiers who went out and risked everything to allow us to enjoy this freedom.ā€

Image: Ex-Servicemen and families of veterans.
Ex-Servicemen and families of veterans.

Joseph recalled his school days of wearing a poppy, stating: ā€œWhenever this time of year came, I remember as a child, (when) we bought the flower and dropped the money in a tin. But the true essence of what it represented was not well taught and I believe that we need to reset the button.

ā€œOur children need to know, not just by the poppy, but to know the names of our ex-service members; to understand that the freedom that we now enjoy must never be taken for granted because some people secured it with their own blood. As a country, we have a responsibility. If we do not know our history, we are likely to repeat the mistakes of the past.ā€

Joseph pledged the support of the Government of Saint Lucia in keeping the memory of servicemen alive, adding that: ā€œOn this Remembrance Day, we salute you, we appreciate your service and we will continue to honour you and ensure that your stories live on in our history.ā€

He also encouraged all Saint Lucians to support the Poppy Appeal year-round.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Send this to a friend