The Armed Forces Remembrance day is quite a national event observed yearly to commemorate the efforts and credible contributions of past military officers who laid their lives at the cross of securing the nation at times when threats to insecurity was rampant. This event which features series of remarkable activities usually avail state leaders the opportunity of paying tributes to the departed heroes as well as commend the efforts of those still serving actively in various peace support operations across the world.
No doubt, it is a call to honour respect and appreciate the role played by the war veterans to justify their efforts and sufferings on the warfront as well as their untimely death. At times like this, huge amount of money is usually donated for the upkeep of Legionnaires; gifts and support are given to the bereaved families, and most important is the laying of wreath, observance of a minute silence and the firing of gun shots for the dead.
These activities all-together form a beautiful picture of a legendary tale and ignites a sense of belonging in the minds of the Armed men who may wish to join their departed colleagues so as to be remembered in this grand manner. Invariably, the dead, if they can see at all, may also be wishing to have been alive to join in the fun enjoyed by their surviving colleagues.
This event and others which give more preference to the dead than the living however, posses a second thought in the minds of many who do not think the dead deserve so much a noise. Many a time, we tend to give more regard to the dead than the living. We see this at the funeral services we attend. From the well painted and decorated environment, to the clothes we put on our dead; the expensive coffin, the encomiums we pour on them while attesting to their life on earth, the meals we prepare for our sympathizers and other things usually done are unparallel to the treatment many dead men and women received in their lifetime.
From time immemorial, we have been in the habit of announcing and projecting the dead over the living. We wait for people to die before celebrating them. We give praises to people whose efforts we never commended while alive; pour encomiums on their grave and immortalize them, forgetting the living ones whom we can encourage to do even better in their areas of specialization. More painful is the accurate records of their heroic deeds we keep. Deeds we never encouraged but condemned; deeds for which they died to make us stand tall and proud of our heritage. Most times, we even go as far as making them our role models and mentors and I wonder what sense there is in living a dead man’s dreams. While it is not out of place to commemorate our gone heroes, should it be at the expense of the living? Is it right that we allow our leaders die before realizing their worth?
In our society today, a lot of heroes go about unsung. The Traffic Wardens, the blood donors, Teachers, Doctors, Policemen, Journalists, Advocates, Lawyers, Counselors, and others. Even the unprofessional workers are worth our appreciation too.
The Newspaper Vendors avail us the privilege of getting acquainted with current information, the Cobbler helps you refurbish that shoe rather than spending more money to buy a new one, the Green Brigadier brings you a dirt-free environment, the Stylist keeps your hair in tune, the Seamstress dresses you to your shape, the Blacksmith saves you the cost of purchasing a new pot too soon, the Vendors bring affordable services to your doorstep and a lot of others. Why then should they not be appreciated and treated with courtesy? Even in the home, a parent may see a hardworking child but fail to commend such effort simply because he/she is not their favorite. Perhaps the disciplined child is academically brilliant while the ‘special one’ is not, the former is left to be on his own while the latter is made to attend extra lessons, extra classes and other extras. It begins like this and gradually creeps into the society.
As we jointly commemorate this year’s remembrance of the armed men, we should learn not to keep our kisses for the dead cold and sealed lips. We should endeavor to appreciate and encourage every good done at the spot rather than wait to say it at a funeral. Tell someone you appreciate him/her and be serious about it.
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