History has that our transformation as a human species evolved around conflicts and violence.  The wars fought from ancient civilization to those of World Wars I, II, to modern liberation wars fought at both national and international levels and are living testaments to that validity.  Those who fought in all such wars did so for the enduring modern Freedom enjoyed across all free and peace loving societies of our times.

From the trenches of Burma to the Streets of Ankarich, Germany, from the desert storms of Kuwait to the Streets of Baghdad, Iraq, and from the World Trade Center to the mountainous caves of Afghanistan, the gallant men and women in uniform who lost their lives left a historic antidote in to the annals of global history.

There sacrifice for the cause of human dignity will remain the richest legacy that will forever live on.  Lest us remember their sacrifices, and significant unifying theme, that has strengthened freedom as a global “legal procedural ability” of mankind.

In many other countries, a nouvelle paradigm of conflicts that emerged following military involvement in to politics was also a driving force behind the vehicle of death for several pro-democracy military men and women.  Lest us also  not forget such gallant military men and women who lost their lives for standing up against dictatorship and brutality in Guinea – Bissau, Guinea-Conakry, The Gambia, Burma, Iran,  Nigeria, Mauretania, Argentina, Chile, Burma, Liberia, Sierra - Leone and other nations  around the world.  

As we commemorate Veterans Day, lest us further understand that a replication of soldier and the state experience will continue to be rooted in our modern history.  The November 11^th 1994, Military and State experience in The Gambia falls along such historical horizons.   Lest us therefore remember with honor the following officers and men summarily executed by the military Junta that came to power on the 22^nd day of July 1994 in The Gambia. 

In Memoriam

1)     Lieutenant Bassiru Barrow.

2)   Lieutenant Gibril Seye

3)   Lieutenant Abdoulie Faal (Dot)

4)   Lieutenant Buba Jammeh

5)    Lieutenant Modou Lamin Darboe

6)   Lieutenant Bakary Manneh (Nyancho)

7)    Officer Cadet Sillah

8)   Warrant Officer  Fafa Nyang

9)   Lance Corporal Bassirou Camara

The Sacrifices of those who died for freedom from brutality and oppression epitomizes the significance of the internationally hailed Veterans Day.  Today we pay tribute to the fine men and women who sacrificed for freedom around the world.  What else could one say?

By Binneh s Minteh, Former Gambian Army First Lieutenant

The author is an Independent Researcher, Analyst and Consultant.  He also produces The Sword of Truth at http://www.sofawarior.com/ .  He could be reached at bsm235@nyu.edu.