Remembrance Day Service commemorated

TDT | Manama                                                

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

The annual Remembrance Day Service was commemorated yesterday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the British Embassy in Manama. The event, which is held annually to remember British and Commonwealth servicemen and women who have given their lives in the line of duty, was attended by Foreign Minister, His Excellency Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani.

The Service was hosted by British Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Alastair Long and attended by other diplomats, officials and members of the diplomatic and expatriate communities. The commemorations remember the armed forces community, British and Commonwealth veterans, the allies who fought alongside the UK and the civilian men and women involved in the two world wars and later conflicts.

Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day or sometimes Poppy Day, is commemorated every year on and around the 11th November. On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the guns of the Western Front fell silent after more than four years of continuous warfare during the First World War.

In many parts of the world, people observe a two-minute silence at 11am every 11 November, to remember those who lost their lives during the First World War, World War II and in more recent conflicts. If a ceremony is impractical on 11 November a service is often performed on the nearest Sunday, as for this year.

Long history of partnership Marking the day, Ambassador Alastair Long said: “Thousands of Remembrance services have been taking place this weekend across the UK and in British Embassies all over the world. I am honoured to host this service here in Bahrain where we have a long history of partnership and where His Majesty The King continues to show international leadership on peaceful coexistence.

“The poppies that many of us are wearing today are both a reminder of those who have died fighting for a better tomorrow and also a symbol of hope for peace today and in future. Today we remembered the brave Bahraini soldiers that recently lost their lives on the Yemen/Saudi border, and we also held in our thoughts other conflicts including that in Israel and Gaza”.