FUJAIRAH // Salem Al Suraidi hangs his brother’s medals in pride of place on the wall of his home so his children never forget how proud his family are of their father and the sacrifice he made.
Mohammed Al Suraidi was killed while serving with the Armed Forces in Yemen. Each Commemoration Day his family share memories of the father of three, his good deeds in the community and his bravery.
“His children are still young and we want them to be proud of their father and his sacrifice, that’s why we decided to hang all the medals and certificates of honour on the wall for them to see and honour,” Mr Al Suradi said.
“It’s more than a year now since the last time we saw him, he is always there in our gatherings and talks. Being invited to attend many ceremonies to honour his bravery and sacrifice means a lot to all of us,” said the 33-year-old.
Twelve months may have passed since Fatima Al Saadi received the fateful news that her brother Jasem had been killed while on duty in Yemen, but it still feels like yesterday.
“He is always among us and we mention him all the time,” said Ms Al Saadi, 38. “The amount of support we received from the community and our leaders is huge and helpful, it makes us more proud of him and his sacrifice. Seeing everybody today standing in front of the flag in my workplace for a minute of silence had me in tears.
“He made us all proud.”
Not a day passes when the family of Zayed Al Kaabi are not reminded of the pilot, who was killed when his plane crashed in Yemen.
“Zayed’s absence affected us all and taught us the real meaning of heroism and pride. He carried in his body a beautiful and caring soul who deserves to be in a better place,” said the hero’s sister, Amna.
Al Kaabi, who was killed on his birthday, left behind four children and a pregnant wife, who gave birth to a daughter on November 13.
“He left us nine months ago and now we have Sara, his newborn baby girl, who will lead all her life proud of her father and his sacrifice, along with her siblings.
“Being recognised and appreciated by the country and its people on this day is something we are proud of and each generation to come will learn about our martyrs and their sacrifice in order to offer more sacrifices in future,” she said.
Fatima Al Zaabi, sister of pilot Saif Al Zaabi who died in 2014 during a military exercise in Cairo, said five mosques had been built in his honour with the help of the community.
“He will be remembered for ever. He was a caring and loving person who always had a smile on his face. He always wanted to build a mosque and now there are five in his honour,” said Ms Al Zaabi, 31.
Al Zaabi was 26 when he was killed. He left behind a wife and daughter.
rhaza@thenational.ae