Remembering those ‘flowers’ that faded prematurely

November 11 (Thursday) marked ‘Remembrance Day’. For some time we’ve not seen the poppy flower being sold at street corners and at junctions where there are traffic lights. The reason for this is the Covid pandemic. If we consider the result of the absence of such activity it means that there will be no revenue from such sales; the proceeds from these sales go to funding the welfare of both retired and disabled military personnel in Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka is part of the Commonwealth; a group of countries which were once under British rule. We need to look at the larger picture regarding ‘Remembrance Day’ because it relates to the bloody World War 1. 

War is bad and we’ve seen the ugly side of conflict. We went through trying times during a period of 26 years and lost parents, friends and soldiers in numbers which cannot be even counted accurately. But the pain we felt was more telling than anything else and we wish that we’ll never have to return to that past. 

The poppy flower reminds us of the fallen heroes. Significantly November 11 marks the signing of the ‘Armitice’ that brought an end to the conflict between the Allies and Germany. What we must remember is that Germany became a threat to world peace and true to the dictum that ‘good’ must triumph over ‘bad’ Germany had to seriously consider a peace deal because its military prospects were becoming hopeless. That Armistice was signed in 1918 at 11 am and to mark the event many countries around the world organise events. People wear a crest turned out in the shape of a poppy flower and also place wreaths and have religious ceremonies for their fallen heroes. Some even mark a period of silence when the clock strikes 11 in the morning on November 11. 

War is bad and we’ve seen the ugly side of conflict. We went through trying times during a period of 26 years and lost parents, friends and soldiers in numbers which cannot be even counted accurately

We see any global event first through our own motherland. We’ve seen over the years a lot of fuss being made in early November when people start selling the blood red poppy flower crest to passersby and motorists on the road. As we age we realize that it’s more than a sale and more to do with sparing a thought for those who laid down their lives in a World War. Even if the Armistice was signed over a 100 years ago there is great significance in it and a message to all that the surviving family members of those war heroes are mourning or even worse could be in need of assistance. 

Hail Sri Lanka’s military establishments for giving the blessings to form the Sri Lanka Ex-servicemen’s Association. This association has taken a lead in organising many activities for the welfare of retired military personnel. For the record this association marked ‘Remembrance Day’ on October 26 where its President Maj Gen. Upul Perera pinned a poppy flower on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat. There are elaborate plans to have a ceremony to mark the occasion at the Viharamahadevi Park on November 14. 

World War 1 had a minimum military impact on Sri Lanka. But the occasion can be used to spread awareness about how harmful war can be and the devastating impact it can have on survivors of a conflict who are disabled. 
So many speeches- loaded with quotable quotes- have been made on ‘Remembrance Day’ and some have been recorded for posterity. Former US President John F. Kennedy said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”.