Photo By Spc. Brandon Babbitt | U.K. forces held a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait on Nov. 10.... read more read more
"This is an important day for us to remember those who fell in combat," said Lt. Cmdr. David Pollitt, Operations Officer for the United Kingdom Navy's Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission.
What we know as Veteran's Day in America, the U.K. refers to as Remembrance Day, or Poppy Day after the flower that was blooming in the war torn fields of Europe the moment World War I ended. Remembrance Day is a day to commemorate the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war in the U.K.
This special day is observed on Nov. 11, heralding from its beginning at the end of World War I. It commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front. The day was specifically dedicated by King George V, on Nov. 7, 1919, to the observance of members of the armed forces who were killed during war.
At Camp Arifjan, her Majesty's sailors and Royal marines all filtered into the British Compound in Zone 6 at Camp Arifjan to participate in a unique ceremony in honor
of this special day.
During the ceremony, prayers were given by Maj. Dwight Croy, a U.S. Army Chaplain with the 593rd Sustainment Brigade.
Croy also lead the approximately 100 service members in attendance in the singing of hymns to honor those who have perished serving in the armed forces over the years.
Following the singing, poppy flowers were pinned on white wooden crosses as a tradition with the ceremony.
Then, the event was closed out with her Majesty's sailors and Royal marines reading stories to those in attendance that they had written about their fellow battle buddies who have made the ultimate sacrifice to their nation in battle.
"This day reminds us of who we are and why we serve," said Maj. Jerry Reed, Royal Marine Commander for the Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission. "We are all about ready
to go back into Iraq to work with our American friends, and events like this are good for our morale and speak to our rich military history."
Warriors with the U.K.'s Iraqi Training and Advisory Mission have been supported by Third Army while training up at Camp Arifjan. They are preparing to go into Iraq to work
with their allies and mentor the Iraqi military and police in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
| Date Taken: | 11.10.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2009 02:40 |
| Story ID: | 41853 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 376 |
| Downloads: | 253 |
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