The Antigua and Barbuda Ex-Servicemen Association was fortunate last week to host a rather large contingent of ex-servicemen and their spouses from the Royal Canadian Legion. The Antiguans and Canadians were greeted by our Governor General, Sir Rodney Williams, who solemnly laid a wreath at the cenotaph on Independence Avenue in St John’s. Wreaths were also laid by Bruce Julian and Steven Clarke of the Royal Canadian Legion, Colonel Telbert Benjamin Chief of Defense Staff of the Antigua and Barbuda Defense Force (ABDF), and Hilroy Johnson Browne, president of the Antigua and Barbuda Ex-servicemen Association.
Of course, after prayers by Retired Colonel Ivor Walker, and warm words of welcome from Chairman of our Association, Mr Philmore Mullin, the playing of the last post, two minutes of silence and the reveille, by the ABDF band members, the Ex-Servicemen’s creed was movingly recited by the gathering, bringing the curtain down on a short ceremony in memoriam of those who gave their lives for the freedoms that we now enjoy.
For those who are not familiar with the creed by Laurence Binyon, first published in 1914, here goes: “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.” Indeed!
Thereafter, our brothers and sisters from Canada were treated to a tour of many of our historical sites, and a splendid luncheon, Antiguan style.
From the smiles and the warm expressions, seems a wonderful time was had by all.
