As part of activities marking the 2019 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, Governor Willie Obiano led a wreath laying and parade ceremony at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
The ceremony which marks the end of the celebration, was attended by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barrister Rita Mmaduagwu, State Chief Judge, Justice Peter Umeadi, Service Chiefs, top government functionaries, among others.
The Governor on arrival, inspected the parade mounted by the Nigerian Army, Navy and the Nigerian Legion.
The Governor Service Chiefs and other key stakeholders later placed wreaths across each symbolic grave, decorated to honor Nigerian fallen veterans.
Pigeons were later released by the Governor symbolizing peace.
According to the Governor, the ceremony was a wonderful way to remember those who served the country valiantly.
He appreciated the officers for their sacrifices and gallantry, calling for their improved welfare.
The ceremony also featured performances of many patriotic songs, as well as Burial Party performance.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day was initially celebrated as “Poppy day” every eleventh of November in commemoration of soldiers’ interventions in world wars one and two.
It was later changed to fifteenth January in commemoration of activities and the Armed Forces interventions in preventing the disintegration of Nigeria during the Nigerian Biafran civil war.
It is no longer news that the Nigerian army, aside dealing with insurgency in the North East, is also involved in checking other disturbances including the herdsmen crises which are indeed taking a toll on the military.
As the ceremony comes to an end, there is need to look beyond the pomp and pageantry to look inwards and hold firm to what they stood and gallantly fought for.
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