Mutharika gets first poppy, assures war veterans of continued support

Malawi President Peter Mutharika has pledged continued support to the welfare of war veterans who fought in the First and Second World Wars.

APM made the pledge last Friday when he inaugurated the Poppy Week by buying the first remembrance poppy during a ceremony held at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre.

Mutharika noted with concern that in some instances war veterans have been ignored.

“Indeed from today in remembrance of the noble and gallant fallen heroes of the first and second wars, we will proudly wear the red poppy. Red is the colour of blood as well as sacrifice. This is also reflected on the colour of our Malawian flag.

“It is thus with great pleasure and pride that today I lead Malawians and encourage them to do something in support of the war veterans as symbolized by the poppy flowers,” said Mutharika.

While noting that scores of soldiers die fighting for peace, Mutharika called upon Malawians not take the prevailing peace in the country for granted.

“As we have worn the red poppy since 1921, this implies that we should not take peace for granted because throughout most of the human story, the norm for most of mankind has been war and suffering. It is for this reason that I commend CELOM members and all people of goodwill who have continuously given moral and general support to the war veterans in Malawi,” observed Mutharika.

Mutharika made K1.5 million donation to the Commonwealth Ex-Service League of Malawi (CELOM), a grouping of war veterans.

He also ordered Deputy Defence Minister Jaap Muhango to make a follow up on fundraising initiatives that were hatched by former president Bingu wa Mutharika.