Tribute to fallen war heroes on Remembrance Sunday

The victims of the two world wars were remembered yesterday with the laying of poppy wreaths during a poignant ceremony held under bright sunshine at the foot of the War Memorial, in Floriana.

The event, held throughout the Commonwealth in what has become known as Remembrance Sunday, started when President Eddie Fenech Adami, escorted by Brigadier Carmel Vassallo, commander of the armed forces, inspected an army Guard of Honour on St John Square.

A Concelebrated Mass led by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca followed at St John's Co-Cathedral.

Contingents of the Armed Forces of Malta and the police then formed along one side of the memorial in Floriana while former servicemen, many wearing medals and service berets, marched in, parading their colours, and stood to attention on the other side, where they were inspected by the President.

The highlight of the ceremony was reached when an AFM bugler sounded the Last Post and soldiers stood, heads bowed, arms reversed, on the four points of the cenotaph - unusually quiet because traffic had been stopped.

After the reveille, wreaths were laid by the President, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Chief Justice Vincent DeGaetano, Speaker Anton Tabone and Charles Mangion, representing the Leader of the Opposition.

President Emeritus Censu Tabone, an army doctor in the last war, represented the Royal British Legion in Malta.

Ambassadors and representatives of services associations also laid wreaths.