“They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.”

Lawrence Binyon “Ode of Remembrance”

This year’s Remembrance Day Ceremony took place on Sunday November 11 2012, at 10.45 am, on Harbour Drive in front of Elmslie Memorial Church.

Each year Remembrance Day honours the military heroes lost during World Wars I and II, as well as all mariners lost at sea during the long maritime history of the Cayman Islands.

His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Duncan Taylor CBE, Honourable Acting Premier, Mr. Mike Adams JP, Hon Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Alden Mclaughlin, The Cayman Islands Veterans’ Association, The Cayman Islands Seafarers’ Association and other members of the congregation laid wreaths at the Cenotaph and the Seamen’s Memorial.

Wreaths were also laid in memory of persons lost in aviation incidents.

HE Governor Taylor did the bidding contained in the last verse of Binyon’s Ode as above and Capt. Dale Banks of the Cayman Islands Veterans’ Association gave the reply, “When you go home. Tell them of us and say, ‘For their tomorrow we gave today.’”

The Last Post was given by a single bugle but sadly the Reveille was missed even though it was included in the programme. Prayers were offered by Rev. Godfrey Meghoo and Bishop Nicholas Sykes and the hymn “O God Our help in Ages Past” was led by Dr. Mark Minott accompanied by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service Band.

The announcements were made by Rev. Dr. Dave Hazle, Pastor of Elmslie United Church.

After the very moving Ceremony many persons went into the church for their Remembrance Sunday Service.

Note: Kristi Anderson (GIS) also contributed to this story and supplied the photograph of the Aviators Wreath being laid at Seamen’s Memorial.

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