The embassies of four countries  - Britain, Canada, France, and Germany organized an Armistice Centenary event at the packed Balboa Union Church (BUC) on Sunday, November 11 to mark the ending of the First World War.

Similar events were held around the world, with the main focus at the Etoile in Paris where world leaders gathered to listen to French President Emmanual Macron denounce nationalism replacing patriotism. The leaders, with the exception of US President Donald Trump, walked the length of the Champs Elysees, under umbrellas and attended a peace conference.

At the BUC the introduction  was made by  the British Embassy Charge d’Affaires Mrs. Allison Cross

[caption id="attachment_90740" align="alignleft" width="300"] French Ambassador Brice Roquefeuil[/caption]

British and French children recited poetry before the keynote address by French Ambassador to Panama, Brice Roquefeuil

Poems recited by German children  and Royal Canadian  Mounted Police (RCMP) officer Dominic  Duchesneau preceded  the recital  by  Morning Show host Gerry Dowden of In Flanders Fields  the Iconic  poem by  Canadian Lt-Colonel John McCrae who died in France and whose words inspired the introduction of the poppy as a remembrance symbol of the millions   who died in that conflict  and others since.

[caption id="attachment_90741" align="alignright" width="300"] Canadian Ambassador Dr. Lilly Nicholls[/caption]

Remarks by  Jens Buntjen Charge D’Affaires of the German Embassy were followed by a Minute of Silence and Bell Ringing.

Canadian Ambassador Dr. Lilly Nicholls who was greeted by a strong contingent from the CanadaPLUS Foundation gave the closing address