The second Sunday in November each year, people around the world gather to observe Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, to honor the courage and selflessness of those who served in defense of the freedoms we cherish today. This year, the Regional Democratic Council in Region Six held its Remembrance Day ceremony at the Esplanade Park in New Amsterdam this morning, where officials, community members, and veterans gathered to pay tribute to these heroes.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, reflected on the significance of the occasion, describing it as “a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by countless individuals during times of conflict, particularly those who gave their lives in the two World Wars and subsequent military actions.” Dr. Singh highlighted that “the world in which we live today is the legacy they have bequeathed us,” a legacy shaped by their “sacrifice beyond measure.”
Acknowledging the ongoing pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity, he noted that even “almost one century ago countless others have also fallen in service to the same cause.” Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of recognizing both those who fell in the world wars and “the service men and women who since then would have also paid the ultimate price in service to similar causes.”
Urging all Guyanese to honor these sacrifices, he called for unity in the pursuit of a peaceful and prosperous future, saying, “I urge you too to join together as Guyanese in rededicating ourselves to this very objective—the realization of peace around the world, the realization of peace in our own neighborhood, the Caribbean region, and domestically, the realization and preservation of internal stability and ultimately, prosperity for all Guyanese.”
He further reiterated President Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s commitment to “One Guyana,” a vision that calls for unity and mobilizes the nation’s diversity in service to peace and stability.
Regional Chairman David Armogan echoed these sentiments, underscoring that “we are forever indebted to those who made the ultimate sacrifices during the two world wars for the cause of peace and freedom.”
The Remembrance Day event began with a solemn parade by members of the joint services, proceeding from Philadelphia Street to Esplanade Park for a wreath-laying ceremony. Community members, adorned with the symbolic red poppy, gathered to reflect on the resilience and bravery shown by soldiers, medical personnel, and all who supported the war efforts.
Inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields, the red poppy has come to symbolize both the bloodshed of war and the hope for lasting peace. Through ceremonies, moments of silence, and shared stories, Remembrance Day connects generations, paying tribute to those who answered the call to serve.
