President: Don’t desecrate Cenotaph

Speaking at a reception last Friday at the Office of the President where he received the first poppy of the year to mark Memorial Day from retired Major David Nagassar, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Legion of The Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, Carmona said that soldiers were “quite upset about the desecration.” The President also gave a poppy each to 60 pupils of Fishing Pond Presbyterian Primary School, who visited his office.

The national cenotaph, Carmona said, is a permanent reminder of this country’s nationals who served and perished during their military service in both wars. Commending Portof- Spain City Mayor Keron Valentine and officials of the city corporation for the swift action they took in restoring the cenotaph to its pristine glory, Carmona said, “We enjoy the liberties today because they (the war dead) gave their tomorrow for all of us.” He urged everyone to support the war veterans through the purchase of poppies, the symbol of those who fought and paid the maximum price in the name of freedom, liberty and democracy.

The foundation stone for the national cenotaph was laid on May1, 1924, by Governor General Brigadier Sir Samuel Herbert Wilson. Embedded in the base is a time capsule containing documents relating to the memorial, copies of local newspapers, coins and medals of the realm. It was commissioned on June 20, 1924.

Paying respects, Carmona said can take the forms of visits to other cenotaphs found around the country - Scarborough in Tobago, Fyzabad, Maracas in St Joseph, the military cemetery in St James, Queen’s Royal College, and St Mary’s College. In brief remarks, Nagassar noted that officially, November 11 is Memorial Day, but the Memorial Day parade is held on the Sunday closest to that date. This year it will be on November 13.

Her gave a brief background to the symbolism of the poppy associating it with those who shed their blood for freedom and democracy and the formation of the local legion after the Second World War.

He noted that its current membership of the legion was dwindling, having lost three war veterans this year. All were in their nineties, he said.

“Some of us do not understand the freedoms we enjoy. We take it for granted. Young men and young women who left their home at ages 16, 17, 18 and 19 did not survive the wars...their parents never saw them again,” Nagassar said.

Urging persons to support the poppies, he said, some of the proceeds go to the welfare of the war veterans who are experiencing difficult economic and social challenges.