IN observance of the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day which ended the First World War, members of the government, the diplomatic corps and the disciplined services paid homage to those fallen at a Remembrance Day service on Sunday.
Scores of persons, including 15 Guyanese veterans who participated in the great conflict, attended the ceremony held at the war memorial, Cenotaph monument in Georgetown.
In his remarks, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, performing the duties of President, said that through the bravery of men and women who fought during the Great War, many across the globe can now know peace.

“We assemble at this War Memorial on this Sunday of Remembrance, to call to mind the sacrifice of all those gallant men and women who gave their lives in two world wars. We are forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom.
“We also recall with gratitude,those who through the years have made similar personal sacrifices in continuing the struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression. Their example strengthens our resolve to maintain our efforts for a world at peace, with justice and prosperity for all peoples,” he said.

He urged all citizens to never forget the sacrifice made and to devote themselves to ensuring that

such peace continues.

He stated: “Let us remember also, these Guyanese who since Independence have died in the service of our nation. Let us thank those who continue to defend our territory and our patrimony throughout our country.

“We, the citizens of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, on this solemn occasion, rededicate ourselves to the search for peace and well-being of our beloved country.”
Wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph monument by the Prime Minister and Acting President; Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge who is performing the duties of Prime Minister; Acting Chief- of -Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Colonel Trevor Bowman; Commissioner of Police Leslie James; President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) George Gomes; Mayor of Georgetown Patricia Chase-Green and Regional Chairperson, Region Four, Genevieve Allen.

Members of the Diplomatic Corps, including representatives Venezuela, India, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America, Cuba, Chile, Suriname, Mexico, China, Malta, the European Union, New Zealand, Russia; Great Britain and others, also paid homage by laying wreaths.

Also paying tribute were the Guyana Red Cross Society; the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and the Scouts Association of Guyana.
The assemblage fell silent for two minutes in respect and honour for those members of the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
The initial two-minute silence was held in 1919 when King George requested it so that “in perfect stillness, the thoughts of everyone may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.”

Poppies, which were the first flowers to grow on the battlefields of World War One and now serve as a symbol of hope after the conflict, were also worn by those in attendance
More than 65 million men fought throughout the entirety of World War One which began in 1914 with the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
The war ended on November 11, 1918 when a general armistice was agreed to by both sides, and it is estimated that between 15 million and 19 million persons lost their lives during the period.