President Ernest Bai Koroma was today officially decorated with a poppy by members of the Ex-Service Men Association in remembrance of their fallen colleagues and those who survived the first and second world wars.

The association was led by Defense Minister Paolo Conteh, accompanied by Chief of Defense Staff Nelson-Williams and senior officers of the Military.

According to the association's Secretary General, Emadu Rogers, their purpose of visiting was to ask the President to declare Thursday 23rd to Saturday 9th November as poppy sales period in memory of fallen Sierra Leonean heroes in the two world wars. He said another aspect of the poppy sales is the desire to raise funds and remind Sierra Leoneans of the great sacrifices made by the fallen compatriots. He said "a poppy in its red form is a sacred emblem of courage".

Responding, President Koroma thanked the association for what he described as "a very important day, as we remember those who sacrificed their lives for their country." He then declared Thursday 23rd October to Saturday 9th November as poppy sales period. "We must remember those fallen and those who survived the bloody wars," the President said. He gave a token of contribution with regards the sales of the poppy, and a moment of silence was observed in memory of the heroes.

The ceremony was conducted at State House and witnessed by Secretary to the President E.B. Osho-Coker.