By Major (Rtd) Ishmail Pamsm-Conteh
Victory in Europe (VE) Day is celebrated either on 8 or 9 May, every year, by different European countries, the United States, Canada and other countries that made up the Allied forces.
This is in recognition of the day in 1945, when the Allied forces marked the end of the Second World War against Nazi Germany.
This past weekend marked the 75th anniversary of that celebration. The celebrations were shown all over the world, on TV and commentated upon on radio.
Some countries celebrate the day as a public holiday, recognising the sacrifice the various armed forces paid with their lives, whilst also paying tributes to both military and civilian casualties during of the war.
If it were not for the Coronavirus, people in the United Kingdom would have held street parties with VE Day buntings and Union Jack decorations flying on windows and roof tops in celebration.
As I watched inspections of troops by various head of states, including President Trump of the US, on TV and listening to commentary and speeches on radio stations, I could not help, but think about our country, Sierra Leone.
In the UK for example, Her Majesty the Queen in her address to the nation, stated thus:
“And when I look at our country today and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I say with pride that we are still a nation those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognise and admire”.
She added, “Never give up, never despair - that was the message of VE Day”.
On TV, the pride of those who served in the war can be seen etched on their faces, with their medals, proudly on display as they are heard recounting their personal stories of the war – with dignity and honour. They certainly deserved respect.
“We are proud to have served our country”, as one stated. It also read distinctively on his veteran patch on his uniform.
This bears little resonance with what is happening in my country at the moment. At this particular time, when Sierra Leoneans should be working together to address the issues that threaten our very existence, including the Coronavirus. This is so, because of the utterances and militant posture of some of our ex-service personnel, on social media, which leaves more to be desired, giving the current state of affairs, of our beloved country.
As an ex-military officer, myself, who served selfless in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, including 10 of the eleven years civil war, it leaves me with a feeling of dread and disappointment witnessing this happening.
This is particularly appalling as some of these statements by various colleagues are inflammatory, bent on dividing us rather than uniting us. It is deplorable and unfortunate that the military has forgotten that some Sierra Leoneans still bear some resentment against us, giving our past history. I’d like to believe.
The memories of us being labelled as “Sobels” still linger on some of our minds. Not to mention the humiliation and mob action we were subjected to, some culminating to the loss of lives of our dear brothers and sisters at the hands of civilians during those troubled times.
It would be a remiss on the part of some of us , who gave our service to our nation, to continue to remain silent, without condemning the actions of those of our colleagues, as they continue to fan the flames of discord at this particular time of our country’s history?
I would appeal to all ex-service personnel, who are engaging in mudslinging, dog-whistling and name-calling to stop forthwith, as this would only continue to remind people of the misdeeds of the past. And this is not doing us any favours, I must add.
As I watched the VE celebrations, I reflect on whether Sierra Leone’s brave soldiers, sailors and airmen – whose selfless service to the nation by paying the ultimate price with their lives – are not being diminished and trashed, by the actions of their colleagues. Or in what way, can we justify to be held in such high esteem befitting our sacrifice to our nation, as those being depicted by the scenes of the VE celebrations?
This situation by our ex-servicemen who are drawing untoward attention to the military, may give little credit to those currently serving men and women of our armed forces, as they go about serving our nation with utmost courage and sacrifice.
NOTE: The author, Ishmail Pamsm-Conteh is a retired military officer, who had a lengthy career in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces. He is now an academic.
Copyright © 2020 Politico Online
