The 22nd July Square and Fajara War Cemetery, were yesterday, the venues for activities marking the celebration of Remembrance Day. 

As a tradition of reminding the nation’s youth about the significance of World Wars I and II, the event was graced by Her Excellency Isatou Njie-Saidy, Vice-President of the Republic of The Gambia, Phil Sinkinson OBE, British High Commissioner to the Gambia, Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, representatives of the Government of The Gambia, the CDS, IGP, DGs, religious leaders, members of The Gambia Legion and Commonwealth ex-Services League, as well as members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps and a cross-section of the community.

In his introductory remarks, Lt Alhagie Sanneh, public relations officer of the Gambia Armed Forces, elaborated on the significance of the day. According to him, the event is meant "to pay respect to those brave men and women who stood up against tyranny for the freedom of human kind."  He went on to say that "it is a special day set aside to remember all those men and women who were killed during the two World Wars and other conflicts. At one time, the day was known as a Armistice Day and was renamed Remembrance Day, after the Second World War."

Getting back to history, Lt Sanneh indicated that "the First WW had brought about the mobilisation of 70 million people, leaving between nine and 13 million dead and perhaps as many as one third with no known graves. The Allied Nations, comprising countries such as Great Britain, America, France, Canada and other Commonwealth countries, including The Gambia, chose this day and time for the commemoration of the war dead."

Lt Sanneh also described the day as a great moment to recognize the tradition of freedom these men and women fought to preserve. He said: "they believed that their actions would make significant difference for the future, but it is up to us to ensure that their dreams of peace are realized. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and sacrifices of all those who serve humanity and we also acknowledge our responsibility to work for the peace they fought hard to achieve."

For his part, Alhagi Papa Ebrima Njie, President of The Gambia Legion Association, said the reason for the parade was to ensure that Gambian students do not forget that millions of men and women across the globe fought valiantly to defend and protect democracy, especially during the perilous times of World War I and II. He thanked President Yahya Jammeh for the unflinching support he graciously continues to provide to their Association. He also expressed similar sentiments to the British Commonwealth Ex-Services League.

In a similar vein, Phil Sinkinson OBE, British High Commissioner to The Gambia pointed out the universal dimension of this commemorative ceremony which marks the ending of World Wars I and II. He said: "The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month attained a special significance in the post-war years. The moment hostilities ceased became universally associated with the remembrance of those who had died in the war."

The central element of Remembrance Day ceremonies are the two minutes of silence as was observed at both the  July 22nd Square and the Fajara Commonwealth War Cemetery, followed by the laying of wreaths on the cenotaph by Vice-President Njie-Saidy, and  High Commissionner Sinkinson; Brigadier-General Lang Tombong Tamba, Chief of Defense Staff; Benedict Jammeh, Inspector General of Police; Papa Ebrima Njie, president of The Gambia Legion Association and the Boys Scout Association.