Jordan yesterday marked the Day of Loyalty to retired servicemen and veteran warriors in a ceremony attended by His Majesty King Abdullah, Royal family members and senior officials.
It was the day to pay tribute to these people’s efforts to safeguard the country and its achievements, and defend national and Arab rights, mainly in Palestine, where members of the Arab Legion, as the Jordan Armed Forces were called, fought heroically and sacrificed their lives and blood to defend their brethren and the holy sites in Jerusalem.
Members of the Arab Legion did so because Palestine is the closest to Jordan, and Jerusalem remains one of the holiest of places, not only to Jordanian Muslims and Christians, but also to their fellow Arabs and brothers and sisters in faith around the world.
They did so also to defend their country from the expansionist policies of Israel and to prevent any plot to render Jordan a substitute homeland for the Palestinians, who certainly desire no other but their Palestine.
Yesterday was the day when Jordan as a whole, King, government and people, paid their respects to those who sacrificed their lives for their country and the causes of their nation.
It is to them that the country owes its stability and security, rare attributes in this volatile region.
It is to them that we owe the progress and our modernisation, and democratisation processes, as well as the ongoing reforms aimed at building a country that can be a model for others in the region.
These people’s services and sacrifices benefit not only Jordan and the neighbouring countries in times of need; their role has expanded to serve the cause of peace around the world under the banner of the United Nations.
Jordanian servicemen are a source of pride for their compatriots, Arab brethren and others around the world and an example of love for their country, sacrifices and contribution to the building of the homeland in times of peace.
To them we raise our hats and pay our
tribute.
