Barbados will observe Remembrance Day on November 14

This year Barbados will observe Remembrance Day on November 14, 2021, with Parade and Virtual Interdenominational Memorial Service, at National Heroes Square, the City. 

The parade will begin at 8 am which will be live-streamed through various social media platforms. Guard of honour will be presented by – the Barbados Regiment with the Queen’s and the Regimental Colours being carried on parade. 

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

Along with the Barbados Prime Minister – Mia Amor Mottley, the 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 will attend the parade of the Remembrance Day.  

Why Barbados observe Remembrance Day and its significance – 

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”. The parade is held at National Heroes Square, where an interdenominational service is held. 

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.