Left: A procession of ex-service men and women, paramilitary organisations and bands along the road leading from the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College to the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium in observance of Remembrance Day in the Virgin Islands on November 10, 2019. Right: Pastor at the New Life Baptist Church Dr Albert L. Thompkins. Photo: VINO

Mr John Cope BEM, RAF (right), who served for a period of 20 years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), is presented with a plaque by Deputy Governor Mr David D. Archer. Up until 2017, Mr Cope lived in the Virgin Islands for 38 years as a marine surveyor before relocating to the United Kingdom. Photo: VINO

Members of the Virgin Islands Cadet Corps were part of the procession in observance of Remembrance Day in the Virgin Islands on November 10, 2019. Photo: VINO

Ranks of the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) during the procession in observance of Remembrance Day in the Virgin Islands at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) in Paraquita Bay on November 10, 2019. Photo: VINO

“Their sacrifice is symbolic of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for us…and remembering strengthens our own resolve to do our part to serving others,” Pastor at the New Life Baptist Church Dr Albert L. Thompkins said during his message at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

Dr Thompkins said the service rendered by these men and women is paying dividends today.

“By remembering all who served, we recognise their willingness to endure hardship and fear that they took upon themselves so that we can live in peace today. Remembering fosters a sense of gratitude and appreciation,” he said.

“We appreciate the freedoms that we experience, such as freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. We are grateful for the liberties we exercise, we value the peace that we endure, and we regard highly the rights and privileges as free citizens that we have available to us because of their service for us. When we remember and honour others, we actually honour God because we realise that it was God who worked through them on our behalf. Remembering encourages us to see the dedication of those who fought and died.”

Dr Thompkins then encouraged all to ponder on the courage and sacrifice that the servicemen and women rendered to their respective countries and do not forget “our responsibility to work for the peace that they fought so hard to achieve.”

John Cope BEM, RAF honored

One such man who was given his flowers before he died was John Cope BEM, RAF who served for a period of 20 years in the Royal Air Force (RAF).

Cope was presented with an award during the Remembrance Day Service at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.

He served in many parts of the world such as Cyprus, North Africa, Gan, Berlin, Malta, the United Kingdom and the Federation of Malaya.

Up until 2017, he lived in the Virgin Islands for 38 years as a marine surveyor before relocating to the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, a poppy wreath was laid by ex-serviceman Simon Welch on behalf of all the men and women who served during World War I.

Another one was laid on behalf of the people of the territory by His Excellency Governor Augustus J.U. Jaspert, another was laid by Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) on behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, as well as by the Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews on behalf of the uniformed organisations.

A moment of silence was also observed for the brave men and women who fought during the various wars.

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, marks the day World War One ended, at 11:00am on the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918. It is usually observed on November 11 as a result to remember those who fought in World War I and other conflicts as well as those who served in various armed forces.