To mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the Cayman Islands government is appealing to communities, churches, businesses and people across the islands to ring bells in unison on Remembrance Sunday, Nov. 11.
Remembrance Sunday, which is held around the world, honors all veterans, including those who sacrificed their lives to serve their country. On that day, the Cayman Islands will join nations around the world in “ringing for peace” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.
Church bells across the United Kingdom remained restricted throughout the course of the war and only rang freely once Armistice was declared on Nov. 11, 1918.
“To join the international initiative to celebrate the day the guns fell silent, the peace and friendship that now exists between nations, and remember those who severed and the lives that were lost, those individuals and organisations that wish to take part should ring out bells 11 times starting at 11 a.m.,” a statement issued by government on Sunday read.
Remembrance Day ceremony
The annual Remembrance Sunday ceremony will be held at the cenotaph outside Elmslie Memorial Church in George Town on Nov. 11.
The public is invited to attend starting at 10:45 a.m. Attendees and participants are asked to be assembled and seated by 10:30 a.m.
The ceremony will commence with a parade led by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service band, followed by the Cayman Islands Veterans Association, the Fire Service, Her Majesty’s Prison Service, Girls’ Brigade, the Scouts, Cadet Corps, the Seventh Day Pathfinders, the Lions Club of Grand Cayman, and the Lions Club of Tropical Gardens.
In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place inside Elmslie Memorial Church.
Organizers are encouraging everyone attending the ceremony to wear a poppy. Poppies are symbolic of those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice. They can be obtained from various locations or from local veterans; a donation is discretionary.
On Monday, Nov. 12, a public holiday, the Cayman Islands will continue to remember those who served, and the lives that were lost, by holding a two-minute moment of silence starting at 11 a.m.
Individuals or religious organizations who wish to pay their respects by laying wreaths at the cenotaph or the Seaman’s Memorial at Sunday’s ceremony, should contact Chief Protocol Officer Meloney Syms on 244-3612 or email protocol@gov.ky by Wednesday, Nov. 7.
(By The Cayman Compass – November 5, 2018)