The National Office for Veterans, Former Military Personnel and War Victims of Cameroon – ONACAM commemorated the 2026 edition of Remembrance Day at the Maison du Combattant in Yaounde on September 10.
Marking the nation’s first major awareness campaign dedicated to the duty of remembrance, the gathering united military authorities, corporate sponsors, media representatives, and civic leaders. Under the unifying theme, “We will never forget those who served and defended Cameroon,” the event served as a formal pledge to permanently engrave the sacrifices of former service members into the collective national memory.
Director General of ONACAM, Colonel Alfred Fuller, opened the ceremony with profound appreciation for the high-level attendance, including representatives of the Minister Delegate to the Presidency in charge of Defense and municipal authorities. Colonel Fuller emphasized that the presence of these key figures transformed the commemoration from a simple ceremony into a powerful, unified message of national gratitude. He noted that honoring veterans who served, sometimes paying the ultimate sacrifice, is vital to maintaining the foundational values of patriotism, peace, and national cohesion across the country.
The success of the national campaign was bolstered significantly by strategic corporate partnerships and extensive media coverage. Colonel Fuller extended heartfelt appreciation to corporate sponsors, highlighting that true corporate social responsibility extends into supporting civic heritage and shared national values.
Furthermore, he praised media outlets and the communications agency EVENTIFY for amplifying the message across television, print, and digital platforms. This broad outreach ensured the campaign resonated far beyond the ceremony grounds, directly engaging families, communities, and the nation’s youth.
Reflecting on the event’s broader vision, ONACAM underscored that the 2026 commemoration is designed not as a standalone milestone, but as an enduring starting point for civic engagement. The institution plans to build on this momentum by expanding support programs for veterans, war victims, and their families. Concurrently, ONACAM aims to use these annual remembrances to actively instill core principles of discipline, courage, and selfless service in younger generations, ensuring that historical sacrifices continuously inspire future civic responsibility.
The landmark ceremony concluded with the screening of a retrospective video showcasing key moments of the commemoration, followed by formal recognitions of the heroes, partners, and media allies involved. ONACAM reaffirmed its commitment to establishing Remembrance Day as a permanent, major fixture on Cameroon’s annual national calendar.
By honoring its military heritage and uniting citizens across regional and cultural divides, Cameroon reinforces its national solidarity and preserves the legacy of those who defended the homeland.
