His Excellency Wade Mark, Acting President receives the first Poppy

Oct 31, 2025

His Excellency Wade Mark, Acting President receives the first Poppy

In keeping with time-honoured tradition, the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, as Head of State, receives the first Poppy from the Trinidad and Tobago Legion of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League before its national distribution.

Today, October 31, 2025, His Excellency Wade Mark, Acting President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, received the first Poppy from Colonel (Ret’d) Lyle Alexander, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Legion, Mr. Lennon Surzano, Treasurer, and Mr. Hilton Clarke, Trustee.

The Poppy is the enduring symbol of remembrance of both World Wars, and while it is linked with Armistice Day (11 November), its origin as a popular emblem of remembrance lies in the landscapes of the First World War. Shortly after losing a friend in the Second Battle of Ypres in 1915, a Canadian doctor, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, was inspired by the sight of poppies growing in the battle-scarred fields of fallen soldiers to write his poem “In Flanders Fields.”

Since the end of the First World War, Remembrance Day has been observed in Commonwealth member states as a memorial day to honour members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty. The Armistice — an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations — began at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (11 a.m. on November 11, 1918). The first Remembrance Day was observed in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth and Britain. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of hostilities of the Great War in 1918 and came to symbolise the end of the war while providing an opportunity to remember those who had died.

Trinidad and Tobago will observe Memorial Day on Sunday, November 9, 2025.

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

5 days ago

Message from Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on New Year’s Day 2026Part of the appeal of a new year is the chance it affords us to leave behind that which has weighed us down or held us back. Part of its challenge is the responsibility to which it calls us to learn from the past and to apply those lessons in the next phase of our journey. Adversity is seldom a welcome guest. But it moulds us, increases our resilience and stretches our creativity to its limits. Adversity tests us. And, in doing so, it reminds us of who we are and what we are capable of. As we leave 2025 behind and enter the new year that is 2026, we leave behind a year that has had its fill of adversity, and we face the call to learn from the lessons that adversity has taught and to apply them to the task of creating a better future.There is much that weighed us down or held us back in 2025, that we ought properly to leave behind. Our penchant for self-derision (“Trinidad and Tobago is not a real place”); our seeming inability (or refusal) to moderate the caustic language we use in public discourse; and our willingness to accept less than that to which we are entitled from those who should know (and do) better.Still, 2025 was no ‘annus horribilis’. Far from it. In 2025, we revelled, with justifiable abandon, in the heroic feats of Keshorn Walcott, Jereem Richards and the Trinbago Knight Riders. We also saw our democracy at its finest, in the way of yet another smooth and peaceful transition of power, away from one government and to another. Our many achievements across the areas of sport, academia and culture, also added to what was truly a memorable year in our country’s history. As we face the next twelve months, we should aim to learn from, and apply the lessons which the adversities of 2025 have taught us. 2026 will undoubtedly bring its challenges. But I remain confident that, standing side by side, and with boundless faith in our destiny, we will rise to meet and overcome them. We will do so if we return to loving ourselves fully, and to practicing greater levels of patriotism. We will do so if we are brave enough to identify the areas in which we can improve, and if we resolve to do better. We will do so if each of us considers the roles we play in the life of our nation, ask ourselves where we can grow in responsibility, discipline and respect, and how we can contribute to building a country of which we can all be proud and glad.I believe that, in a nation so rich in creativity, ingenuity and talent, such efforts will bear much fruit. I believe that we will surprise ourselves by what we can achieve, when we commit to aspiring and achieving together. 2026 also carries special national significance, as we mark the fiftieth anniversary of our republican status – the final step in our march towards self-determination. As we commemorate this milestone, let us lean into our potential as a nation. Let us recommit to shaping our own future, with the confidence, the patriotism and the unity of purpose that a Republican nation demands.My husband and I extend our very best wishes to all for the year ahead. May 2026 bring renewed strength, harmony and success, and may God bless our nation. #happynewyear2026 #Renewal #fiftieth #officeofthepresidenttt ... See MoreSee Less

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6 days ago

⚠️ Public Notice | Please Be AdvisedThe Office of the President wishes to inform the public that a phone contact currently being circulated and attributed to Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is fake.This contact does not belong to Her Excellency and should not be shared, used, or further circulated.Members of the public are urged to rely only on official communication channels of the Office of the President for accurate and verified information.Thank you for your cooperation in helping to prevent the spread of misinformation. ... See MoreSee Less

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

6 days ago

#EndOfYearReflections On the final day of 2025, the Office of the President reflects with gratitude on a year of meaningful engagements, significant milestones, and moments of national pride. Over the past twelve months, The President’s House has served as a space for learning, culture, and connection, welcoming citizens, students, dignitaries, and communities from across Trinidad and Tobago. From ceremonial occasions and cultural observances to educational initiatives, school visits, and national celebrations, 2025 was a year defined by connection, collaboration, and community. Each event and initiative strengthened our ties with the people we serve and affirmed the shared values that unite us as a nation.As we look toward 2026, we do so with appreciation for the accomplishments of the past year and with renewed commitment to service, stewardship, and meaningful public engagement. 🇹🇹#YearInReview #ReflectingOn2025 #LookingAheadTo2026 #OfficeOfThePresident #TrinidadAndTobago ... See MoreSee Less

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The Office of the President of the Republic of T&T

1 week ago

#EndOfYearReflections In her 2023 Inauguration Address, Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, shared her vision of making The President’s House more accessible to citizens. In keeping with this vision, the Office of the President expanded its programme of regular guided tours throughout the year.In 2025, over three thousand visitors had the opportunity to tour The President’s House and its grounds. Visitors ranged from young children to senior citizens and included groups from pre-school, primary and secondary schools, as well as cultural and religious organisations across Trinidad and Tobago. All were warmly welcomed and meaningfully engaged.The Office of the President looks forward to continuing to open the doors of The President’s House and sharing this national space with the people it serves. 🇹🇹 ... See MoreSee Less

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1 week ago

#EndOfYearReflections The Office of the President’s School Visits Programme for 2025 commenced on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Throughout the year, Their Excellencies Christine Carla Kangaloo, ORTT, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Kerwyn Garcia, S.C., First Gentleman, visited fourteen schools across the Port of Spain, Caroni, St. George East, and Victoria Education Districts, as follows:• Brazil R.C. Primary School• Carapichaima ASJA Primary School• Grant Memorial Presbyterian Primary School• Moulton Hall Methodist Primary School• Mundo Nuevo R.C. Primary School• Naparima College• Naparima Girls’ High School• Presentation College, San Fernando• San Rafael R.C. Primary School• St. Joseph’s Convent, Port of Spain• St. Mary’s College, Port of Spain• Talparo R.C. Primary School• Waterloo Presbyterian Primary School• Waterloo SDMS Primary School#SchoolVisits2025 #EducationMatters #YouthAndEducation #InvestingInOurFuture ... See MoreSee Less

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