Strong support for Armistice Centennial Remembrance event
The embassies of four countries – Britain, Canada, France, and Germany organized an Armistice Centenary event at the packed Balboa Union Church (BUC) on Sunday, November 11 to mark the ending of the First World War.
Similar events were held around the world, with the main focus at the Etoile in Paris where world leaders gathered to listen to French President Emmanual Macron denounce nationalism replacing patriotism. The leaders, with the exception of US President Donald Trump, walked the length of the Champs Elysees, under umbrellas and attended a peace conference.
At the BUC the introduction was made by the British Embassy Charge d’Affaires Mrs. Allison Cross
British and French children recited poetry before the keynote address by French Ambassador to Panama, Brice Roquefeuil
Poems recited by German children and Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) officer Dominic Duchesneau preceded the recital by Morning Show host Gerry Dowden of In Flanders Fields the Iconic poem by Canadian Lt-Colonel John McCrae who died in France and whose words inspired the introduction of the poppy as a remembrance symbol of the millions who died in that conflict and others since.
Remarks by Jens Buntjen Charge D’Affaires of the German Embassy were followed by a Minute of Silence and Bell Ringing.
Canadian Ambassador Dr. Lilly Nicholls who was greeted by a strong contingent from the CanadaPLUS Foundation gave the closing address
