Cayman remembers fallen veterans
Members of the Fire Service detachment march past the veterans
(CNS): Ceremonies were held simultaneously on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, on Sunday, 8 November, to mark Remembrance Day, which fell on the following day. At 11am, a two-minute silence marked the official observance of the holiday, with this year’s event commemorating all lives lost in World Wars I and II as well as at sea.
The service on Grand Cayman was held in front of the Cenotaph at the Elmslie Memorial Church grounds, and on the Brac at the Memorial Cenotaph on the District Administration Lawn in Stake Bay.
Pinned with symbolic poppies, in attendance were members of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association (CIVA) and Cayman Islands Seafarers Association including those who served in World War II as well as the remaining Home Guards who performed distinctive service in Cayman during that war.
Cayman’s oldest veteran, Ewart Ebanks, 95, lays a wreath on behalf of all his comrades
The traditional parade began the ceremony, comprising the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service band and officers; and members of the Veterans Association, the Fire and Prison Services, Girls Brigade, Boy and Cub Scouts, Cadet Corps, the SDA Pathfinders and the Lions Club of Grand Cayman.
The Governor Helen Kilpatrick laid the first wreath at the Elmslie Cenotaph and the Seamen’s Memorial. Premier Alden McLaughlin also placed a wreath.
This year, Year 6 prefects from George Town Primary School, Kaciann Wilson and Amare Hamilton, laid a wreath made by their schoolmates. The idea was to take forward their school research project on Caymanians, and in particular George Towners, who lost their lives at sea.
George Town Primary School Year 6 prefects Kaciann Wilson (front) and Amare Hamilton lay a wreath made by their schoolmates
Principal Marie Martin explained proceeds from a dress down day held on Friday at the school raised funds for the local veterans. The funds were to be presented to the CIVA today (10 November) during a special assembly where veterans would be guest speakers, she added.
The parade closed with the detachments honouring Cayman’s veterans by marching past them as they stood to attention as a group, with CIVA president Capt. Dale Banks taking the salute.
The service also included the Last Post, the Act of Worship and the singing of hymns.
Category: Events
