War heroes remembered

SIXTY-five Vincentians died in the two World Wars of the early 20th Century and last Sunday the country gathered to pay tribute and remember the supreme sacrifice they made.

The veterans of the wars, military, government, diplomatic corps, and members of the public gathered Sunday morning for the solemn hour-long ceremony at the Cenotaph in Kingstown.{{more}}

The firing of a gun salute signaled the start of the ceremony after the arrival of dignitaries whom joined the

audience in a two-minute silence.

The playing of the Last Post was symbolic of the fall of the men. Flags were lowered to half mass in remembrance.

Governor-General Sir Frederick Ballantyne led a line of dignitaries including Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and members of the diplomatic corps in lay wreaths at the Cenotaph.

A member of the St Vincent legion read the “Exhortation to Remembrance” after which the bugle sounded the Reveille heralding an awakening.

Flags were hoisted back to full mast as dignitaries departed.

Prayers were said by Bishop Leopold Friday of the St George Cathedral, Rev Victor Job or the Methodist Church, Bishop Robert Rivas of the Roman Catholic Church, and Major Henry King of the Salvation Army.