Diego Suarez (TDI): On November 10, UK Ambassador to Madagascar Patrick Lynch gave a speech at the UK War Graves site in Diego Suarez, Madagascar, at the annual Armistice Day service.
“I am honoured to stand here today to represent the Government of the United Kingdom at this Remembrance Sunday service of commemoration,” he stated in his capacity as its ambassador to Madagascar.
“As a symbol of this act of remembrance, I stand here in solidarity with millions of people around the world,” he added.
He also mentioned that more than a century ago, during the Great War, 20 million people lost their lives. We purposefully wear poppies as a reminder of those European battlegrounds.
He further added that, it is not a representation of success or triumph. It acts as a reminder of the brutality of war.
Also, he argued that the signing of an Armistice on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month at the end of the Great War was considered to be the end of all conflicts.
We regrettably know, not least from the graves nearby, that the tragedy persisted throughout World War II and the struggle against fascism, he continued.
Furthermore, according to our news reports, the tragedy is still ongoing in 2024, with new casualties in conflicts occurring daily.
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He also mentioned how complicated and frequently arbitrary the history of the United Kingdom is in Africa and across the Indian Ocean. We are quite proud of certain aspects of our history, and with good reason. We also look back on some aspects of our past with regret and humility.
He went on to say, “I am particularly proud to represent the United Kingdom because of this humility.” It is an expression of our freedom to debate and learn from our history in an open society, as well as our national democracy.
This frequently contrasts with the way that other people choose to recall their own past.
He added that although we assemble here in tranquil circumstances today, our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by the atrocities of the 2024 war, regardless of their location.
We grieve for the pain of the civilian war victims. We also grieve the loss of the numerous youths who are being sent to fight on this very day.
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He pointed out We grieve for persons from all nations, ethnicities, and religions on Remembrance Sunday. We grieve for our Commonwealth family, our allies, the United Kingdom, and the fallen troops of Madagascar. We also grieve for our former adversaries.
“Let us always remember our history with pride and humility and let us always remember the 315 men who lie here and who made the ultimate sacrifice as part of a global struggle to protect our lives and our freedoms,” he said as he wrapped up his remarks
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