The annual poppy appeal, to raise funds for local veterans, was officially launched on Saturday night with the pinning of the symbolic red flower on Governor Jane Owen and Deputy Premier André Ebanks.
The governor and deputy premier, along with other officials, were guests of honour at the 11th annual Cayman Islands Veterans Association gala at the Marriott hotel.
Along with the poppy appeal itself, the event, attended by members of Cayman’s uniformed services and many supporters, is one of the association’s two main fundraisers.
As well as money raised by ticket and raffle sales, attendees on Saturday at the glamourous affair were “fined” for infractions, such as not wearing black ties to the black-tie gala or wearing their poppies before the official first pinning of the poppy on the governor was carried out.
The guest speaker was Honorary Colonel of the Cayman Islands Regiment Mark Lancaster, who also holds the title of Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton.
Lancaster, a former British minister of state for defence, told the audience that one of his ministerial jobs in the United Kingdom was as the veterans minister, a post he held for three years.
“I can say, without doubt, it was the greatest job I had in government – the opportunity to serve with our men and women who had served around the world,” he said.
Motioning to the screens in the room, which had earlier shown videos of army personnel arriving home from active duty, he said, “You have seen tonight some of the challenges they face … and yet they have continued to do that.
“I experienced it myself during those years when the British Army was campaigning around the world, and there is no greater feeling than coming home from an operational tour and seeing your family.”
He added, “So, thank you so much for your support that you’ve offered this evening to all our veterans here in Cayman. It means an enormous amount. And, I think, perhaps on your behalf, I should generally thank them for their service.”
Five years of the regiment
Lancaster noted that Saturday marked exactly five years since the government announced the creation of the Cayman Islands Regiment. He said his role as honorary colonel of the regiment was not to lead and fight with it, but to ensure that, from London, it receives “all the support you need for military defence”.
Members of the regiment were present at the gala, leaving their fatigues and uniforms at home for the night, and wearing elegant evening wear instead.
Lancaster pointed out that the majority of the regimental members were part-time volunteers.
“As Winston Churchill once said, a volunteer is twice a citizen, and they deserve special thanks for that,” he said, adding that he hoped employers are sympathetic to the roles the members play and to help and support them.
Thirty more recruits are expected to join the regiment next year, he said.
Among the ceremonies that were carried out on Saturday was the lighting of a candle to place at an empty table at the front of the room. The table symbolises those who “made the ultimate sacrifice” and did not make it home, explained veterans association member Shadden McLaughlin.
After thanking Governor Owen for officially opening the poppy appeal, she said, “We please ask you to encourage your colleagues, your family members, to show their support, by wearing their poppies proudly, because wearing your poppies means you are remembering all of those who are away currently serving, all of those that have served, and all of those who are no longer with us.”
The poppy appeal will continue until Remembrance Day, 11 Nov.
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