PHOTO: One of the mourners Jenkins sits on the grave of his loved one
By Charles Gbayor, maorethason1997@gmail.com
PLEEBO, Liberia- Thousands of people in the southeastern Maryland County gathered on Wednesday, March 9, 2022 in commemoration of decoration day, which observed as a national holiday throughout the nation the second Wednesday every year to honour the dead.
The citizens began gathering at about 7pm to give facelift to the graves of their family members, friends and loved ones.
The Famous Kataha Cemetery was one of the graveyards which was jammed packed.
Majority of those who turned out were dressed in black as part of the Commemoration and significance of the day.
Decoration Day was declared as a national holiday in a proclamation issued this week by President George Manneh Weah to observe the nation’s past heroes and heroines, who have lived and died in the interest of their country.
Each year, the President of Liberia will issue a Proclamation for this holiday in line with an Act of the National Legislature approved on October 24th 1916 which declared the second Wednesday of March in each year to be known as “Decoration Day” and to be observed as a National Holiday.
The Presidential Proclamation states that it is befitting that a day is set aside to celebrate the memory of those blessed dead, who have lived and died in the interest of the Liberian Nation, thereby keeping ever alive their deeds and invaluable contributions made to society and the State for the onward march to progress.
People remember their dearly departed loved ones by gathering at cemeteries and laying wreaths over the tombs.
Jenkins Hinneh, a resident of Pleebo City and post guard officer at SEGAL security firm at ECOBANK said, “I have come to show love and respect to the dead on this day set aside to celebrate and commemorate the dead.”
Mr. Hinnah explained: “It’s sad to know that I can no longer talk to my late brother and mom but at least I have come to pay my respect to them and to tell the world that I still have them at heart.”
Also speaking, Miss. Comfort Suah said that “Decoration Day is very special for me because throughout the year this is the only day set aside my national government for decoration.”
“It’s really emotional for me and but on the overall I’m happy to be there decorating his grave (my grandfather) he was a people center man and he really love sharing with people, I really missed him,” Miss Suah added.
For the past 99 years Liberians have been celebrating the dead and continuously paid homage to them.