President Peter Mutharika has in the spirit of showing support for local veterans of World War I and II, bought a Poppy flower at value of K1.5 million as he launch 2015 Poppy Day.
Mutharika was meeting with some retired war veterans at Kamuzu Palace on Monday evening on the occasion of the 2015 Poppy Day Inauguration ceremony.
"Am very glad to buy this Poppy flower today, it must be the most expensive puppy I have ever bought because I have a cheque here of K1.5 million for the poppy" he disclosed at the end of his speech.
The Remembrance Day or Armistice Day (11 November) is commemorated in remembrance of the noble and gallant fallen heroes of the First and Second World Wars fought between 1914 – 1918 and 1939 – 1945. In Malawi the day falls on Sunday of the second week of months of November.
Following this inauguration ceremony, people will wear the 'remembrance' red poppy two weeks prior to the Day and is being sold to raise funds to support all war veterans. Red is a colour of blood and symbolizes sacrifice which also reflected on the colour of Malawian flag.
"With great delight today I lead Malawians and encourage them to do something in support of the war veterans by buying the poppy flowers." Appealed President Mutharika who is also a Commander In-Chief of the Malawi Defense Force
"The red poppy has been worn since 1921, this implies that we 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.
At certain times, war is the price of securing the peace we deserve. We shall therefore remember the fallen heroes who gave their lives to answer the call of peace. Indeed, their names shall always be glorified and their souls shall strengthen our strife for peace." Said
Mutharika then commend the Commonwealth Ex-Service League of Malawi (CELOM) members and all people of goodwill who have continuously given moral and general support to the war veterans in Malawi
At the beginning of inaugural ceremony, there was Prayer for the Fallen Heroes.
Commonwealth Countries remembers War veterans on 11th November. Poppy wreaths are often laid at war memorials and a minute of silence is observed during Service of remembrance at the eleventh hour of the day as that marks the time when the armistice became effective.
