GEORGE TOWN: The last surviving World War II (WWII) veteran took the opportunity to commemorate the war heroes by thanking his late comrades for their sacrifice to preserve freedom.
“If they are here with me now, I will thank them personally for all their efforts,” said James Jeremiah, 95, the last WWII survivor.
He paid the tribute to his late war time comrades at the Remembrance Day ceremony, which took place at the Cenotaph in Padang Kota Lama here today.
Organised by the Penang Veterans’ Association (PVA), it was the 18th Remembrance Day held here.
For Jeremiah it was more than just a usual Remembrance Day as he recalled the days he spent with his comrades from the Eurasian “E” company of Penang.
"I went through the Japanese occupation, the bombing here, and many more. All these memories pass through my mind.
"This is how I feel every year the association organises the ceremony.
"I am the last one here. Maybe soon I will pack my bags and 'go'. That is what I think every year but I keep on coming back in November for this ceremony," he said.
The Remembrance Day was held for the 60th year since the end of the Malayan Emergency.
PVA president Mej (Rtd) R. Sivarajan, in his speech, said that the tombstone’s of the fallen heroes in the country was concrete evidence of their sacrifices for a better world of freedom for all.
He stressed the importance of freedom, and how it created equal opportunity in life and for the pursuit of happiness.
"We have to revive and disseminate the history so that we do not take for granted the peace we enjoy. No one in his right mind would want to sacrifice his life.
"However, it is love for the king, the country and loved ones which makes ordinary men and women do extraordinary things," he said.
Present to honour the fallen heroes was Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Also present were British High Commissioner in Malaysia Charles Hay Mvo and Deputy Commander Integrated Area Defence System Butterworth Brigadier General Thong Veng Leong.
They laid wreaths at the Cenotaph to honour the fallen heroes.