Remembrance Day |14 November 2022

Remembering fallen soldiers then and now…

Remembrance Day is usually commemorated on the first Sunday closest to November 11. Seychelles also did not forget to mourn and honour the civilian victims of the war. The soldiers who have lost their lives in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and other wars were also remembered in a ceremony held yesterday at the cenotaph at the Mont Fleuri cemetery.

The cenotaph carries the names of all Seychellois soldiers and other personnel who lost their lives during the two world wars and other military conflicts.

During the ceremony wreaths of poppies were laid at the foot of the cenotaph by Vice-President Ahmed Afif, ministers, members of the diplomatic corps and of the family to honour the memories of all those who lost their lives as well as remember those who are still alive.

British High Commissioner Patrick Lynch noted that “As we gather today in peaceful surroundings our thoughts are also with all of those suffering the horrors of war in 2022. As a representative of the government of the United Kingdom in Seychelles, I am proud to represent a country, and serve in a country, that does not promote any hierarchy of loss. On Remembrance Sunday, we mourn people of all cultures, faiths and nations. We mourn the fallen soldiers of Seychelles, the United Kingdom, our Commonwealth family and our allies. And we also mourn for our enemies of the past. And in 2022 we mourn for the civilian victims of war who are suffering today. And we mourn the loss of the many young people who on this very day are being sent to the battle fields.”

Minister Eroll Fonseka reminded the guets why it is important on such a significant and momentous occasion to remember all those who lost their lives in the line of duty, to think of all our women and men in uniform proudly serving their country and to take care of those ex-servicemen who are still alive.

We should not forget that over 300 brave Seychellois sacrificed their lives in not only World War I but the Second World War as well, which came to an end in 1945.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the ceremony.

Vidya Gappy

Photos: Joena Meme