B’dos recognises war veterans on Remembrance Day

Despite a warm and humid morning, several Barbadians braved the heat to see the remaining war veterans who have served their country during the World Wars in Heroes Square on Remembrance Sunday.

 

It was a sight of regimental precision as unarmed forces took up their positions around the cenotaph from the Armed units of the Barbados Regiment’s Guard of Honour, the Royal Barbados Police Force, the Barbados Cadet Corps, the Barbados Legion, the Barbados Fire Service, the Barbados Prison Service, the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides Associations, the St. John Ambulance Association of Barbados and the Barbados Red Cross Association.

After the arrival of the Governor General of Barbados, Sir Elliot Belgrave, Chief Justice Sir Marston Gibson, Honourable Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart QC, MP and Opposition Leader Mia Mottley, the order was given to recognise the veterans. 

 

At 8 a.m., the canons were fired and two minutes of silence was observed. It was symbolic of the end of hostilities on the 11th hour on the 11th day in the 11th month. Thereafter, representatives from the Barbados government, Barbados legion, the Opposition Leader, Mia Mottley QC MP and the various counsel and embassy representatives from the Commonwealth, China, United Kingdom, Brazil, Canada and the United States paid their respects by laying their wreath. The poppy was seen in all of the wreaths laid on the cenotaph which became the official symbol of Remembrance Day due to a poem called “Flanders Fields” written by Canadian physician Lt. Col. John McCrae. After the wreaths were laid, there was an interdenominational service where the Reverend Mylon Springer gave the opening prayer. 

 

One unique observation made during the ceremony was the significant representation or involvement of women from the armed services. There were two females centuries around the cenotaph from the Barbados Police Force and Barbados Defence Force. Other female representatives were part of the mounted troops, senior warrant officer and Major Wendy Yearwood who was the second woman to serve as parade designate from the Barbados Defense Force. 

 

At the end of the ceremony, armed and unarmed forces were led by Barbados police band and the cadet corps band respectively and marched off to their headquarters. The Barbados Legion who was being celebrated, moved towards Parliament ahead of their annual luncheon with the Governor General. (KPB)