It was a day full of gratitude and reflection on the sacrifices of the country’s fallen heroes. Yet it was also a day of pride and celebration for the role of Rwandan heroes and heroines, who paid the ultimate price for patriotic values that are so cherished by the post-Genocide generation.Across the country, citizens gathered in their respective villages, and shared ideas on how best they can strive for and sustain the very principles and selflessness that characterized the heroes they were fondly remembering. Local FM stations and the state television aired talk-shows, documentaries and other programmes that reflected on the heroic lives and sacrifices of the country’s fallen heroes, including former RPA commander, Maj. Gen. Fred Gisa Rwigema, the Unknown Soldier, King Charles Léon Mutara II Rudahigwa, former prime minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, Michael Rwagasana, Felicite Niyitegeka, Chantal Mujawamariya and the Nyange  students.In Kigali, President Paul Kagame, members of the diplomatic corps and senior government and military officials joined the families of the heroes in laying wreaths on the deceased’s tombs at the Heroes Cemetery in Remera, Gasabo District.The day was marked under the theme, "Let’s Strive for Heroism as We Fight Child Abuse”, which was chosen to help rally Rwandans actively fight child abuse and to promote their rights, according to the Minister of Sports and Culture, Protais Mitali.Throughout the day, public lectures and debates were organized across the country in line with the theme of the day.

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