MUTHARIKA INAUGURATES 2015 POPPY WEEK: PLEDGES SUPPORT TO WAR VETERANS

President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika on Monday presided over the inauguration of the 2015 poppy week with a pledge to continue rendering his full support to war Veterans who fought in the first and second world wars.

Mutharika made the commitment at Kamuzu Palace where he had an audience with members of the Commonwealth Ex- Service League of Malawi (CELOM).

Showing his commitment to supporting the activities of the poppy day and lives of the war veterans, Mutharika bought a poppy flower at MK1.5 Million.

He said the red poppy flower has been worn since 1921, which implies that Malawians should not take peace for granted because throughout most of the human history, the norm for most of mankind has been resorting to war as a means of solving conflicts which in the end causes human suffering.

Mutharika also asked Malawians to support the poppy day by buying and proudly wearing the poppy flowers as it symbolizes blood and sacrifice.

“From today, in remembrance of the noble and gallant fallen heroes of the First and Second World Wars, we will proudly wear the red poppy. Red is the colour of blood and symbolizes sacrifice.

“You must be aware; this is also reflected on the colour of our Malawian flag. It is thus with great delight that today I lead Malawians and encourage them to do something in support of the war veterans by buying the poppy flowers,” he said.

He also urged Malawians to embrace the peace the country is enjoying as it came at a price and should always remember the fallen heroes who gave their lives to answer the call of peace.

In his remarks, Chairperson of CELOM, Major General Namwali (Retired) said the poppy day is an annual event that takes place on every second Sunday of the Month o f November in which all the Commonwealth countries celebrate.

Namwali said the Poppy day is a day of remembering those who died during the First and Second World War (1914-1918 &1939-1945) but also those who survived.

He then asked President Mutharika to review the financial allocation given to memorial homes as it is not enough to carter for the needs of the old men.

“Your Excellency the conditions at the memorial homes are not good and we really need your interventions especially in terms of food and other necessities.

“We also ask you to consider revising the pension money as it not enough,” he said.

During the day, poppy wreaths are laid at the war memorials and a minute of silence is observed.