BETWEEN NIGERIA’S ARMED FORCES AND REMEMBERANCE DAY AND
AMERICA’S VETERAN’S DAY CELEBRATION
By:
David Barau
Men of the Nigeria Armed Forces in Solemn Mood
As a
first time visitor to the United States of America, I was still trying to settle
down and adapt to the food I’ve been struggling to eat for at least a fortnight
and also understand the cultural differences that exist between Nigeria and the
United States when I stumbled on a veteran’s day parade on the 11th
November 2013 in the beautiful city of San Diego in the state of California.
‘Veteran’s
day Parade’ what is it about I asked John and Karen? The two wonderful English
Language Officers that have accompanied us from the beginning of the programme
that took me to the United States of America. By the way, I was in the United
States of America for an International Visitor’s Leadership Programme (IVLP)
the Edward R Murrow programme for journalists; it’s
a programme designed for young journalists around the world to share
experiences on their profession in their respective countries.
Well I’m
not going to distract you with the IVLP because I’ve an article on it at www.baraudavid.blogspot.com
Back to
the Veteran’s Day Parade; John and Karen were able to inform me that veteran’s day
is a holiday set aside to honour the Military personnel as well as persons
involved in war in one way or another. ‘That’s exactly our version of Armed
forces and remembrance day Celebration’ held on the 15th of January
every year I said unfortunately it isn’t a holiday.
Unlike what
is observed in Nigeria’s Armed Forces and Remembrance Day celebration, where the
whole mood is solemn and quiet, the American’s Veteran’s day parade was upbeat
and full of energy.
San Diego
since the fall of pearl Harbour in 1941 has been a military town when the
United States Navy moved its pacific Headquarters to the city, it is also home
to the Marine corps recruit Depot, as well as the space and Naval warfare
systems centre to mention but a few. So one
can imagine the heavy presence of the military and retired officers or Vets as
they are popularly called.
The
parade was full of energy as the young Cadets from the Marine Corps depot opened
the floor with a beautiful march-past followed by the different war heroes and
heroine starting from World War II to the Afghanistan and Iraq war.
The Veterans
Marched in different uniforms, in exotic cars and power bikes all gallantly dressed
as the crowd continued to cheer their heroes. The nurses and medical team that
took part in wars also marched to the hailing of the crowd who were waving the
American Flags.
Restaurants and shops offered free food and
services to the veterans, different promotions on goods were on going for the
vets and their family. It’s a moment when one will feel proud to be a war
veteran.
Children
were not left out, they had their parade also, with drums and performed gymnastics
as they Marched passed the crowd that kept on cheering and clapping. It was a
scene to behold.
The
highpoints of the parade was when the survivor of second world-war stepped out
of his convertible Mustang car and decided to march all the stretch of the one
kilometre ground. The ovation was loudest as this man who was about a century
old began to run. It was fun and excitement all the way as the parade came to
an end.
Although
the mood of the Nigeria Armed forces and remembrance day is celebrated in a
solemn and quiet manner with wreath laying, as a result of the significance of the event
which is a reflection on the number of Soldiers that died during the first coup
d’état and the civil war, many lessons can be drawn from the Veteran’s day celebration;
like making it an all-inclusive event where everyone will play a part.(
Civilians Women and Children) and the red cross as well as the volunteers in
Military affairs.
Declaring
the day a national Holiday will also ensure that people will take time to come
out and share the joy of the Unknown soldiers who are our heroes past.
In Abuja,
the security was so tight that only those with Invitations made it to the
National Cenotaph, venue of the ceremony, the present security challenge in the
country may not be unconnected with the high security presence, but a less agonising
security checks can be adopted with better planning.
The security
even refused some of the Legionnaires (retired officers) entry to the venue
because they did not present an invitation card, a mild drama ensued when the
Men said they do not need an invitation because ‘the ceremony is for us’ where
is your invitation? They asked the Security the agent. Who was dumbfounded.
‘If you
like shoot us I am a retired colonel but as for me I’m going to the place’ as
they continued to make their way towards the cenotaph. It took the intervention
of the National Chairman of the Nigerian Legion Micah Gayya that prevented a
scene at the Arcade.
The welfare
of the Nigerian Legions has always been a front burner during the months that leading
to the D-day, with a lot a promises that goes down the drain after the
celebrations with the latest being the arrears of their 3 years pension which
has been revised to the new rate but has not been paid.
According
to Micah Gayya ‘All Nigeria Legion will rise up and salute President Jonathan
when he directs the payment of our three years improved allowances’.
The Retired
Soldiers have played their part in the shaping of Nigeria to what it is today,
it’s our duty as a Nation to respect our heroes past by treating them with
respect, dignity and above all love.
Veterans
in the United States have homes and their medical bills are to some extent being
taken care of by the government, this is a gesture that our heroes past so that
labour shall not be in vain deserve to say the least at it enshrined in the
National anthem.
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