Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
Remembrance Day was commemorated in Fyzabad with solemnity and reverence as ex-servicemen, contingents from the T&T Cadet Corps, and members of various faith-based organizations gathered to honour those who lost their lives in World Wars I and II.
The activities began with a street parade and concluded with a gun salute.
Uniformed sentries took up their position in the rain with rifles lowered for a moment of reflection on the devastating impact of war.
In attendance was 97-year-old Mary Anthony, the last known surviving war veteran in the Southern Legion, along with Fyzabad MP Dr Lackram Bodoe and councillor Jason Ali.
Major Randal Luces emphasized the importance of commemorating Memorial Day and urged citizens to remember the consequences of war.
Luces acknowledged T&T’s relatively small global presence but stressed the role of education in ending conflicts domestically. He said parents have to play a greater role in raising children to be productive, progressive citizens. He emphasised the need for diplomacy, dialogue, and peaceful resolutions.
“Learning from history, we should strive to address conflict through dialogue and understanding. These devastating consequences of armed conflict must be avoided,” Major Luces said.
He highlighted the role of education in conflict resolution and said instilling these skills in children would contribute to a more peaceful future.
“Send your children to school and teach them about conflict resolution. Ensure that they abide by the rules and have a dialogue with their teachers. Take your role as a parent seriously and develop productive, progressive citizens,” he said.
Major Luces expressed concern about ongoing tensions in Israel and Palestine, as well as Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing the need for dialogue to address conflicts in T&T.
Oropouche West MP Dave Tancoo urged citizens to remember the sacrifices made by those who died in the war.
“Those who fought and died for the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today, they should never be forgotten,” he said.
Representatives from village councils in Ackbar Trace, Thick Village, Avocat and Pepper Village were part of the commemorations.