Lest we – and the young – forget

LAST Sunday, the British High Commission in Kuala Lumpur organised its annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the cenotaph near Tugu Negara in KL.

The ceremony was particularly momentous this year in that it is the centenary of the armistice that ended World War I (1914-1918). It is also the 70th anniversary of Malaysia’s Emergency (1948-1960).

Remembrance Day is a day when the world recognises and remembers the contribution of British, Commonwealth and other nations’ military servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. Also remembered are the vital roles played by civilians during these and other conflicts.

HE Vicki Treadell, the British High Commissioner, delivered a very apt and touching address recognising the fallen and the survivors of the wars and their families. In a ceremony fully steeped in military tradition, the Last Post bugle call was played, two minutes of silence was observed, and, of course, poppy wreaths were laid.

Local veterans were there in full force to take the opportunity to publicly say thank you and pay tribute to all veterans and their contributions. It was also my honour and privilege to be there.

What struck me most was the presence of children from several international schools.

These kids witnessed a very significant ceremony, with Boy Scouts and Girl Guides even laying wreaths. I was truly impressed in the way these youngsters were being made to understand the sacrifices of past generations.

I sincerely hope that the Malaysian government, and especially the Education Ministry, working with veterans’ organisations, will include our children at a young age in such ceremonies so they will recognise and understand the history of conflicts.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

“Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning

“We will remember them.” (From the poem For The Fallen by Laurence Binyon.)

Major (Retd) A.R. Ramachandran AMN Seremban