President Jagdeo at Remembrance Day observation
HUNDREDS yesterday converged in solemnity at the Cenotaph, Company Path Georgetown, in observance of Armistice Day, also referred to as Remembrance Day, specially set aside to recognise and honour those who laid down their lives in World Wars I and II, so that others left behind would live in freedom and peace. Joining Guyanese in observance of the occasion , characterised by the symbolic laying of wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph, against a backdrop of symphonic renditions by the Guyana Police Force Orchestra, were Members of the Diplomatic Corps and others.

At the Remembrance Day 2010 Armistice Day Ceremony yesterday, His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo lays his wreath at the Cenotaph, in remembrance of all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in the cause of freedom and peace in the two World Wars.

President Bharrat Jagdeo, the first to lay his wreath yesterday, moves towards the monument. Others from left are: Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green; President of the Guyana Legion – Col. (Ret’d) Carl B. Morgan, MSS, MSM; Leader of the People’s National Congress-Reform – Mr. Robert O. Corbin and Prime Minister Samuel Hinds awaiting their turn.

Bert Douglas places a wreath on behalf of the Ex-Soldiers Association of Guyana.

The Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard contingent, moving with precision, march energetically towards the Bank of Guyana Square, Company Path, in down town Georgetown for the start of the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Cenotaph. At Legionnaires:

At the Armistice Day Reception hosted by the Guyana Legion at their Coghlan House Headquarters, Carifesta Avenue: Seated from left at head table: Mr. Kingsley Nelson, General Secretary of the Guyana Legion; Col. (Ret’d) Carl B. Morgan President of the Legion; Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Commodore Gary Best, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force.

The programme, largely dominated by smartly attired and well rehearsed members of the disciplined services, got off to a start at 08:00 hours following the arrival of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo.
But the ceremonial start of the programme was heralded with the sounding of the Last Post; Two minutes of Silence – one each for those killed in World War I and World War II respectively, and punctuated by the sounding of the guns.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps lay their wreaths at the foot of the Cenotaph in honour of the fallen war heroes.

Amidst a moment of quietude, following the guns, was the literally hair-raising sounding of the Reveille, painfully reliving the memories of the horrific war period.
As the programme unfolded there came the symbolic laying of the wreaths, the first of which was placed by President Bharrat Jagdeo, and paving the way for other senior government functionaries, Members of the Diplomatic Corps; current and retired heads of the Disciplined Services and others  who, slowly, but proudly and purposefully made their way to the cenotaph.
Addressing the gathering, President Jagdeo, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, referred to the occasion as one of meeting again to remember all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world wars, adding: “We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom.”
President Jagdeo declared: “We also recall with gratitude those who through the years have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression, wherever they exist.”
“Their example,” he said, “strengthens our resolve to maintain our efforts for a world at peace with justice and prosperity for all peoples.”
The Head of State concluded by calling on the citizens of Guyana, on this solemn occasion, to ‘rededicate ourselves to the search for peace everywhere and renew our commitment to the development and well-being of our beloved country.’