Today is the first Commemoration Day, during which we remember the fallen heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of the country. As the President, Sheikh Khalifa, said yesterday, it is through such heroic acts, heart breaking though they may be, that “we build the strength and glory and pride of our nation in the current and future generations”.
Today, as the flag is lowered across the country, we will remember and mourn our fallen heroes. But at the same time, we will all be proud of their patriotism. We will honour their sacrifice and pay respect to their martyrdom. We will stand by their families in solidarity, and share with them their grief.
All the heroes to be remembered today have given up their lives in service of their homeland. The first hero, Salim Suhail bin Khamis, died at the age of just 20. He was one of six police officers stationed on the island of Greater Tunb when it, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa, were invaded by Iran just before the formation of the union.
This year, many of our brave soldiers died in Yemen for a noble cause. We went to Yemen as part of the Saudi-led coalition to help our brothers and sisters; to restore the legitimate leadership of the internationally recognised president, Abdrabu Mansur Hadi; and to help the country regain stability after years of conflict. We went to Yemen to protect our country’s security and the security of our neighbours.
The sacrifice of our heroes will not be in vain. Their passing has made this country stronger and its people more united. The UAE is now more determined to finish what we have started in Yemen. Their heroism has inspired more people to volunteer for the army and fight to keep the country’s flag flying high.
As we dedicate this annual day of commemoration, the UAE is entering a new stage in its history. Today’s quiet, respectful ceremonies of mourning will be followed on Wednesday by National Day, which celebrates 44 years of the UAE’s establishment. It is natural that one follows the other. We are the country that we are because of men like our martyrs. We can only truly take pride in this great, young nation by acknowledging those who paid with their lives to make it what it is.