Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has paid a solemn tribute to Sierra Leonean servicemen and women who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars, reaffirming the Government’s recognition of their sacrifices and the importance of preserving their contributions to the country’s military history.

Representing President Dr Julius Maada Bio, the Vice President joined members of the diplomatic community, senior Government officials, representatives of international organisations and members of the Sierra Leone Ex-Servicemen Association at a remembrance ceremony held on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at the Ministerial Building in Freetown.

The ceremony brought together dignitaries from various institutions to honour the courage, dedication and sacrifices of Sierra Leonean soldiers who served in the two World Wars.

As part of the commemoration, Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh laid a wreath at the war memorial in honour of the fallen heroes whose service and sacrifices contributed to the defence of freedom, peace and justice.

His participation on behalf of President Dr Julius Maada Bio underscored the Government’s commitment to recognizing the contributions of Sierra Leonean servicemen and women and ensuring that their sacrifices remain an important part of the nation’s historical consciousness.

The solemn occasion also provided an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of Sierra Leonean soldiers who served far beyond the country’s borders during some of the most devastating conflicts in world history.

In his welcome address, the Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Ex-Servicemen Association, Major (Rtd) Mark Sesay, highlighted the significant contributions of Sierra Leonean soldiers during the First and Second World Wars.

Major (Rtd) Mark Sesay particularly recalled the bravery and dedication of those deployed to India and other theatres of conflict, where they served under difficult and dangerous conditions.

He emphasized the importance of remembering their contributions and ensuring that successive generations appreciate the sacrifices made by Sierra Leoneans who participated in major international military operations.

A significant aspect of his address centred on the recognition of previously unrecorded Sierra Leonean servicemen who lost their lives during the First World War.

Major (Rtd) Mark Sesay welcomed the development, describing it as an important step towards correcting historical omissions and ensuring that the identities and sacrifices of those soldiers receive the recognition they deserve.

He noted that acknowledging previously overlooked servicemen is essential to preserving an accurate historical record and honouring everyone who contributed to the war effort.

The recognition also highlighted the importance of continued efforts to document Sierra Leone’s military history, particularly the contributions of soldiers whose service may not have received sufficient attention over the years.

The remembrance ceremony further demonstrated the enduring significance of honouring fallen servicemen and women, while promoting respect for the values of courage, sacrifice, duty and national service.

For Sierra Leone, the annual commemoration provided an important opportunity to recognize the country's historical involvement in the two World Wars and acknowledged the role played by its citizens in international military service.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh’s presence at the ceremony reinforced the importance attached to remembering the fallen and maintaining the tradition of paying tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

The participation of diplomatic representatives, Government officials and members of the Sierra Leone Ex-Servicemen Association also reflected the collective responsibility of preserving the memory of those who served.

The ceremony concluded with renewed recognition of the courage and sacrifices of Sierra Leonean war heroes, serving as a reminder that their contributions must never be forgotten.

Through the wreath-laying tribute and commemorative activities, Sierra Leone once again honoured the legacy of its fallen servicemen and women, whose sacrifices remain an enduring chapter in the nation’s military history. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/archives/66080