We will remember them...

Sue Hillyard: Sir Lowry’s Pass

The sun was shining and the air was clear.

Sitting in the shade, surrounded by the green of Spring, our small group listened to the words of Norman McFarlane, in his opening address of an Armistice ceremony held in my garden.

Every year, a group of us meet, to be still and remember; to give thanks to those in the South African Police, Law enforcement agencies, Armed Forces and Firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

As a military veteran, Norman will always attend, to speak about his war experience.

Dressed with military elegance, his reverent voice recalls the folly of war, the waste of life and the aftermath of trauma.

All veterans face a larger battle on their return home; not all battle scars are visible.

He explains: “Seeing war is not the same as experiencing it personally.One returns forever altered, even if one survives physically unscathed.”

Veterans believe that their duty extends beyond mourning; that there is the care of the returning wounded, their families, friends and to support those who have lost a loved one.

Despite the Armistice in 1918, at the end of the “War to end wars”, conflicts have continued to erupt around the world.

Organisations like the United Nations have tried and failed to maintain international peace and security.

Worldwide there is a continuation of conflicts from then until now.

Then, there are the conflicts that happen on our streets. Organised crime, gender based violence, domestic violence, theft and assault.

In these wars, we turn to the South African Police and law enforcement agencies to these fight battles.

At our ceremony, we were privileged to have a presentation by SAPS Colonel Mary Ann Williams (retired).

The trauma that she spoke of was that of a Commander losing an officer in the line of duty.

In a tone of empathy and passion, she described the events leading to this loss.

Constable ‘Chokie’ Mtshokotsha, was a young, vibrant and dedicated member of Somerset West Crime Prevention Unit.

In February 2014, there was a surge of street robberies in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village.

Chokie drew up a plan, on how he felt these perpetrators could be apprehended. The Colonel presented the plan to the CPU and it was decided to go ahead.

Later, she was called and given the news. She left immediately for the scene.

She said: “I did not want to believe he was gone, I had to see for myself.”

Being a former nurse, she “had to make sure that it was true; I knew he was gone, but still, I felt for his pulse.’ The sadness, the regret in her voice was so strong.

Powerful grief. It was as if it had happened recently, not a decade ago.

Chokie was remembered.

In her poignant words, Mary Ann Williams showed our small gathering how important these Armistice remembrance ceremonies are.

The families, work colleagues and the public should know these stories and give of their time to attend events that pay homage to these dedicated and brave men and women.

The value of this respect shown by their attendance to such gatherings, is very much appreciated by the families of the fallen.

It is good to be still, and to remember them.