Remembering the fallen heroes

Remembrance Day was observed yesterday with concelebrated Mass at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta and a wreath-laying ceremony at the cenotaph in Floriana, held to mark those who died in two world wars so others may live on.

A crowd, including several tourists, gathered around the War Memorial, which had been inaugurated by the Governor of Malta Sir Charles Bonham Carter on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918. It was originally erected to commemorate the victims of World War I but later also incorporated the fallen of World War II.

Earlier, the Armed Forces of Malta mounted a Guard of Honour for inspection by President George Abela at St John's Square, while contingents from the AFM, the police, ex-servicemen and other organisations participated in the wreath-laying ceremony.

They lined up around the War Memorial in Floriana and the national anthem was played by the AFM band. The trumpeters sounded the Last Post and the Reveille, while two minutes of silence were observed, creating a reverential atmosphere. The President, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House, the Chief Justice and representative of the war veterans laid wreaths, followed by the ambassadors and the Police Commissioner. Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat attended Mass but was represented by deputy leader Anġlu Farrugia for the wreath-laying ceremony.

Dr Abela was then invited by the president of the British Legion (Malta) Branch to inspect the ex-servicemen, before they marched off to the crowd's applause.