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Reference is made to the article Eternal Flames Burn Part-Time To Cut Costs (May 29).

It is stated that Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi said in Parliament that the eternal flames (which he conveniently referred to as “the ornamental flame”) were only being lit up from dusk till dawn to save money. What a ghastly decision!

The Nationalist Government’s praiseworthy decision to put up these flames was to have an everlasting remembrance of those who gallantly fought and lost their lives in defence of Malta during the world wars. We should always remember them.

I do not believe that this so-called ‘austerity measure’ was the real reason behind the present Labour Government’s decision. I recall the rock opera Ġensna produced by the Labour Party some time back. Those who sacrificed their lives during World War II were mocked through this Labour rock opera wherein it was stated that our forefathers died in vain because they died fighting for and on behalf of the foreigner.

Far from the truth. Where would Malta be today were it not for our ancestors?

I am sure that the majority of Maltese citizens seemingly not like Labour– are very proud of our forefathers who sacrificed their lives for Malta fighting against nazism and fascism. I salute World War II veteran Stanley Clews and others like him to whom we are highly indebted.

The Government should immediately reconsider its decision so that we will always remember our gallant ones.

I also do not agree with Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna president Mario Farrugia’s reasoning that “those flames were not part of the original design of the 1938 monument and they should be removed” because, he argues, “”the National War Memorial was built to commemorate the fallen of World War I”.

According to his argument, the George Cross inscription should, therefore, also be removed as it was presented to Malta for its gallantry during World War II.

It is high time that Maltese governments learn not to remove what a previous government did.