DUSHANBE, November 14, 2011, Asia-Plus - The British Embassy in Dushanbe organized a Commonwealth Remembrance Service on Saturday November 12, at 10:45 am at the War Memorial of Victory Park in Dushanbe, the British Embassy reported on November 14.

British Ambassador to Tajikistan, Trevor Moore, and a senior member of the Canadian Embassy in Astana, together with other British and Commonwealth citizens, and a number of Great Patriotic War veterans from Tajikistan, joined in the Act of Remembrance and Dedication ceremony to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in war time.  Also present were a representative from the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan and the Defense Attaché from the Indian Embassy.  The Ceremony was led by Father Sebastian, a priest of the Dushanbe Roman Catholic Church.

Representatives of the Council of Veterans of Tajikistan expressed their happiness in participating in such an event in Dushanbe dedicated to remembering those who gave their lives in war to bring peace and long lasting stability to the world.  They also participated in a lunch given by the British Embassy after the Service.

Each year the Commonwealth (consisting of the United Kingdom and certain former British colonies) expresses its unequivocal support for The Royal British Legion''s charity work through the Poppy Appeal which runs for 3 weeks immediately prior to Remembrance Sunday.  Poppies - worn in the weeks before and after 11 November as a sign of remembrance, and produced by the Royal British Legion, the UK''s association of ex-service men and women - were available at the British Embassy in Dushanbe during this time.  Poppies were also available on the day of the memorial service.