KNYSNA NEWS - Knysna's Main Road came to a standstill when military and civilian servicemen and women from Knysna in full regalia celebrated Remembrance Sunday on November 8.
The Memorable Order of Tin Hats (MOTHS), the Knysna Pipe Band, Knysna Sea Cadet Corps, civic dignitaries, former servicemen and -women, members of armed forces and the Knysna Municipality were represented at the ceremony at Memorial Square.
According to Wikipedia, "Remembrance Sunday is held in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth as a day 'to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts'.
It is held on the second Sunday in November, the Sunday nearest to 11 November, Armistice Day, the anniversary of the end of hostilities in the First World War at 11:00 in 1918.
"Across The United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is marked by ceremonies at local war memorials in most cities, towns and villages, attended by civic dignitaries, ex-servicemen and -women (many are members of the Royal British Legion and other veterans' organisations), members of local armed forces regular and reserve units (Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve, Royal Marines and Royal Marines Reserve, Army and Territorial Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Auxiliary Air Force), military cadet forces (Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps as well as the Combined Cadet Force) and youth organisations (eg Scouts, Boys' Brigade, Girls' Brigade and Guides). Wreaths of remembrance poppies are laid on the memorials and two minutes' silence is held at 11:00. Church bells are usually rung half-muffled, creating a sombre effect."
The Old Bill of the Albatross MOTHS Shellhole in Knysna, Andy da Silva, was the master of ceremonies, leading the congregation through the ceremony.
In his opening prayer, Chaplain Colin Paine committed the congregation to peace, by saying: "We meet in the presence of God. We commit ourselves to work in penitence and faith, for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may together live in freedom, justice and peace.
We pray for all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer consequences of fighting and terror. We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those whose lives, in the world wars and conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away."
It was Colonel Jan Breytenbach who brought tears to many eyes, when he read the poem, In Flanders Field:
Between the crosses, row and row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely amid the guns below.
We are the Dead, Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow. Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our Quarrel with foe;
To you from falling hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
The ceremony was concluded with wreath-laying by representatives of the congregation.
The Knysna MOTHS on their way to the place of remembrance.
The Knysna Sea Cadets also participated in the celebrations.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: CHRISTO VERMAAK, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD - NEWS EDITOR
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