VI salutes war veterans & ex-service men & women
The disciplined services of the Virgin Islands were led by ex-service men who marched from the entrance of the HLSCC compound to the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium to the sounds of the Virgin Islands Cadet Corps. A large number of persons lined the compound as a show of their support for the sacrifice made by the nation’s heroes during World War 1 and 11.
Among them were Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, who was later joined by Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources and Labour Dr Kedrick D. Pickering.
The Remembrance Day observances took on the usual forms of procession, singing of the National Anthem and Territorial Song, which was led by the Elmore Stout Community College School band, liturgy, prayer, scripture reading , the Act of Remembrance and laying of wreaths.
In doing the memorial “Requiem to the fallen”, Mr John Cope, BEM, RAF (RTD) recited the words of Laurence Binyon, “With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, fallen in the cause of the free…. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary them, nor do the years condemn, at the going down of the sun and in the morning.”
Tribute was paid to the late Jean Green with a recital done by Mrs Carolina Pettigrew.
The symbolic candlelight remembrance added to the solemn atmosphere and a minute of silence was observed in honour of the fallen heroes.
The traditional laying of wreaths was led by Deputy Governor (Ag.) Mr Elton Georges OBE, CMG on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands. He was followed by Premier Smith, who laid on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands. The Commissioner of Police Mr David Morris laid on behalf of the uniformed organisations while ex-serviceman Mr Simon Welch, LT. RN (RTD) laid on behalf of all servicemen and women.
Premier Smith also did the first scripture reading from Deuteronomy- Chapter 8, Verses 11-20.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
8 Responses to “VI salutes war veterans & ex-service men & women”
Be thankful to them, if it were not for these brave souls you would be speaking German.