Barbados: PM Mottley pays tribute to soldiers on Remembrance Day

Barbados island observed “Remembrance Day” on Sunday. The ceremony of the day took place at National Heroes Square, the City, with an adapted Parade along with a Virtual Interdenominational Memorial Service. 

The Parade started at around 8:00 am and was streamed through various social media platforms. The Guard of Honour was presented by the Barbados Regiment along with the Queen’s and the Regimental Colours being carried on Parade.

The only other troops on Parade were the sentries around the Cenotaph, flag bearers, wreath bearers and the Royal Barbados Police Force Band.

The officials who were present at the Remembrance day ceremony are –            

• Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley,
• Governor-General – Dame Sandra Mason,
•  Chief Justice of Barbados – Sir Patterson Cheltenham, 
• Leader of the Opposition – Joseph Atherley, 
• Dean of the Diplomatic Corps – Linda S. Taglialatela, 
• Commissioner of Police – Richard Boyce, 
• Chief of Staff – Errington Shurland, 
• and a representative from the Barbados Legion.

Barbadians paid homage and remembered the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the first and second world Wars. 

Significance of Remembrance Day – 

In Barbados, – Remembrance Day is not a public holiday, but the day is – “celebrated to recognise the Barbadian soldiers who lost their lives fighting in the First and Second World Wars”. 

During the main ceremony,- a gun salute, wreaths, & prayers are also performed at the – war memorial Cenotaph at the heart of – Heroes’ Square in Bridgetown. 

Remembrance Day is also observed in various other commonwealth member states. In Belize, the day is observed on November 11 every year, paying homage and tribute to their soldiers.  

The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of “Armistice Day”. The initial Armistice Day was – observed at the Buckingham Palace, commencing with – King George V hosting a – “Banquet in Honour of the President of the French Republic” during the evening hours of November 10 1919. The first official – Armistice Day was subsequently held on the grounds of Buckingham Palace the following morning. 

During the Second World War, many nations changed the name of the holiday. Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopted Remembrance Day, while the US chose Veterans Day.