Honouring the fallen with the Remembrance Parade

Each year, on the Saturday closest to November 11, towns across the world gather to remember the moment the First World War ended in 1918. It was the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the guns finally fell silent, marking not just an armistice, but a solemn promise never to forget those who gave their lives in service.

This tradition, known as Remembrance Day, has become a symbol of collective respect for all soldiers who fought and died in conflicts since that time.

Yesterday, Barberton’s own Remembrance Parade organised by the MOTHs of Barberton’s Lone Tree Shell Hole took place at the cenotaph next to the town hall. Though the morning was peaceful and the air carried a sense of quiet reflection, the attendance was sadly sparse.

Only a handful of residents, veterans, and representatives from local organisations stood in observance, bowing their heads as the Last Post echoed softly through the streets. The wreaths laid at the base of the memorial brought a splash of red and green to the stone monument, a silent tribute to lives lost and courage remembered.

Old Bill Ben Schutte led the proceedings by reflecting on past wars and said that we don’t only remember the fallen soldiers of World Wars, but also our own soldiers who died in the border wars that started in 1966 and ended in 1989. “These wars mainly took place in Northern Namibia between the SADF and SWAPO freedom fighters. We lost more than 715 South African soldiers during these conflicts,” he said.

Rev Erna Alkamar delivered a short message reflecting on the influence the war had on her own family. She also said: “World War 1 was supposed to be the end of all wars, but sadly we know it did not happen. Wars still rear it ugly head, even today.”

A number of wreaths were laid at the cenotaph by various members of the MOTHs, SANDF and General Botha Regiment. Various MOTH members also place a Poppy at the cenotaph.

For a town steeped in history, where the names of soldiers are engraved in stone and family legacies run deep, the sight of so few attending such a meaningful ceremony was disheartening. It serves as a poignant reminder that as time moves forward, so too does memory begin to fade, unless it is actively preserved.

Remembrance Day, or Armistice Day as it was first known, was first observed in 1919, one year after the end of World War I. Since then, it has evolved to honour not only those who fell during the Great War but all men and women who served in subsequent conflicts, from World War II to Korea, Vietnam, and modern peacekeeping missions.

The red poppy became the symbol of remembrance after the famous poem In Flanders Fields described how poppies bloomed across the battle-scarred landscapes of Europe.

The annual ceremony traditionally includes a moment of silence at 11am, the playing of the Last Post, and the laying of wreaths. It is both an act of remembrance and a commitment to peace, echoing through generations.

In Barberton, the cenotaph stands as a focal point of this remembrance. It is a simple yet powerful monument, its engraved names representing local men who left home and never returned. Each name tells a story of bravery, sacrifice, and love for one’s country.

The Remembrance Parade is more than just a formal ceremony. It is an opportunity for communities to reconnect with their history, to acknowledge the cost of freedom, and to pass on this understanding to the next generation. Sadly, yesterday’s low turnout reflects a growing trend seen in many towns across South Africa and beyond, where fewer young people attend such commemorations.

The red poppy remains the enduring emblem of Remembrance Day. It represents not only the bloodshed of war but also the resilience of life that continues to bloom amid destruction. The simple act of wearing one shows solidarity with the fallen and their families.

Next year, may more residents stand together at the cenotaph, young and old alike, united by respect and gratitude. For it is only through remembrance that we truly honour the past and preserve the spirit of those who gave everything.