Wreaths laid at the Cenotaph to honour war dead

Acting Governor General His Excellency Sir Edmund Lawrence lays wreath at the War Memorial on Sunday.

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas receives wreath from his ADC Capt. Dr. Vance Gilbert at the War Memorial on Sunday.

The British Government Representative bows in respect after laying a wreath at the War Memorial.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 12TH 2012 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis on Sunday, remembered its nationals who fought and died in the two World Wars.

The traditional National Day of Remembrance to those who gave their lives in World War I from 1912 to 1918 and World War 11 from 1939 to 1945 was observed with the Laying of Wreaths at the War Memorial or Cenotaph on the Bay Road.

The Service commenced following the arrival of His Excellency the Acting Governor Sir Edmund Lawrence and Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and the firing of a gun signalling start and end of a two-minute observance of silence and the playing of The Last Post.

“We are met together to memorialise with gratitude those brave men who gave their lives for justice, peace and truth in the two great wars of 1914 – 1918 and 11939 – 1945. Their death is not a loss, but a final offering of their lives in the service of mankind to Almighty God. It is not a leap into the dark; it is the opening of an entrance into the gate of light, into the very sanctuary of God’s presence. They are in God’s hand now as they had been in life, and this is all that matters, for the truest end of life are to know that life never ends,” said a representatitive of the Ex-Service men’s Legion.

Prayers were said for “our veterans, whom we have sent to far countries on our behalf, and who for us have often endured fear, trauma, and sorrow that no human should have to face, that they may receive healing of their hearts. Thank you for comforting and encouraging and for letting them know that they are loved.”

For families of men and women now on active duty, families of veterans, civilian families who have suffered in time of war, and especially those families whose tables will always have an empty chair.

For our leaders, who have the power to promote peace and justice or to extinguish life itself from our planet, that any and all decisions relating to the use of armed forces may be preceded by prayer and accompanied by agony.

For ourselves, our congregation and pastors and all persons of faith, that recognizing the expression in works which must result from an experience of faith, we may be builders of community as well as seekers of salvation, we may seek outer peace as well as inner harmony, and justice for our world as well as fairness for ourselves, to the end that the dwelling of God may be with us, and we shall be God’s people, that the former things pass away and war shall be no more.

Names of the Men of St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914 – 1918

Joseph Cephus
James Daniel
Arthur Dickenson
Donald Edwards, MC
H D Edwards, DSO
John Foreman
Edmund Gordon
H Herbert Jones
James L E R Lake
Joseph Lewis
Joseph McKoy
Edwards Mills
Hubert Mitchell
Donald Patrice
Edward Hope Ross
Horace Veira
Ivor Wakefield
William C Wattley
Richard White
Robert Woolward

And those who gave their lives in the Great War of 1939 – 45

J E Alves, DFM
Peter Berkley
Sydney Delisle
A E Farara
G G H Farara, DFC, DFM
Basil Veira, DFC

Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps were present at the Remembrance Day Service at the War Memorial on Sunday.	St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas (center) arrives for the ceremony escorted by Commissioner of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Mr. C. G. Walwyn (left) and accompanied by his ADC Capt Dr. Vance Gilbert (back left).

Wreaths were laid by the His Excellency the Acting Governor General, Sir Edmund Lawrence; Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and representatives of the British Government, the British Commonwealth Ex-Servicemen League, the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, the Nurses, Red Cross, St. John’s Ambulance Brigade, Scouts, Guides and the Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park.

After the laying of the wreaths, Governor General Sebastian, Prime Minister Douglas and officials greeted the war veterans.

Following the departure of His Excellency, Prime Minister Douglas took the salute at the March Past from the armed and unarmed units on parade.