OT & Dependencies Lay Remembrance Wreaths
Representatives of the Overseas Territories, including Bermuda, and the Crown Dependencies have laid wreaths for the first time at the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph today in London.
A Government spokesperson said, “This year representatives the inhabited Overseas Territories and of the three Crown Dependencies laid their own wreaths in remembrance of their many contributions in both World Wars and other conflicts. The Bermuda wreath was laid by Kimberley Durrant, Director of the Government of Bermuda’s London Office.
“The Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies have previously been represented by the wreaths laid by Her Majesty The Queen and the Foreign Secretary.
“The change comes at an especially poignant time as this year marks the 100th Anniversary of Remembrance Sunday and has also seen the addition of other new wreaths, including from Nepal to honour the Gurkhas, and by the Foreign Secretary and the Home Secretary who laid wreaths on behalf of the Intelligence Agencies.”
Governor John Rankin said, “Bermudians fought with Allied Forces in both World Wars and we rightly honour their contribution each year on Remembrance Day in Bermuda. I’m delighted that a representative of Bermuda has laid a wreath at the Cenotaph in London in memory of those who helped to preserve the freedoms we enjoy today.”
Premier David Burt said, “The recognition of the brave service of Bermudian men and women in the World Wars is a much welcomed addition to the London Service of Remembrance.”
“The Overseas Territories represented were Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
“The three Crown Dependencies were the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, and the Isle of Man.”
Bermuda’s Remembrance Day Parade will take place at The Cenotaph on Front Street on Monday 11 November commencing at 10:30am.
When will Bermuda recognize the service of its people in their services. We all know of the treatment of veterans and the downplaying of current service members lives (and sacrifices). No I am not comparing the current serving members to veterans, just making a generic grouping.
There are alot of life skills, trade crafts and applied learning service members receive. This is due to sacrifice of time with family and personal lives to benefit the island as a whole. Besides a “free” bus pass what benefits does a soldier get? Why does being a serving member mean more on a overseas job application then local ones?