Dear Editor,
Mr Edward Cedrina, Chairman of the Guyana Legion ought to be commended for helping the Linden community remember Remembrance Day (Poppy Day) which, judging from what was demonstrated on Sunday, November 9, will sooner rather than later be totally forgotten and no more remembered. This historical event was a near debacle, as was the opinion of all the less than a handful who witnessed it. To quote some of the alarming comments: “This is the worst ever”; “This done with boy”; “Wha! I never see this yet” – this from a female legionnaire who said in her almost 30 years as an active member she has never witnessed “nutting like this.”
Editor, the sprinkling of people who observed the event can attest to what I’m saying; there is no exaggeration here. Of the 24 chairs in the seating arrangement for special invitees/top functionaries and senior folks, fourteen remained unoccupied; of the regular 5 sentries representing the military, police and paramilitary who are strategically positioned around the Cenotaph there was only one; the ever faithful and dependable Constabulary Band in their ceremonial attire that sends both young and old into a jolly jig or a strutting marching-like motion, were reduced to a mere three; the largest contingent was the police, followed by the GDF and the Fire Station, all comprising approximately 40.
No school participated. Of course there wasn’t a public address system and really there wasn’t need for one, onlookers/spectators didn’t make double figures.
The Chairman, Mr Cedrina, himself performed the function of MC, but that wasn’t all; it was easily noticeable that he singlehandedly with assistance from the Mayor and Town Council managed the entire occasion. Popular Linden personality and elder Mr Norman Chapman and Mrs Pearl Bourne were the only two legionnaires in attendance; Ms Bourne a long serving and active member as usual provided valuable back-up to Chairman Cedrina. Well, one doesn’t have to say it, the writing is on the wall, and unless there is an organised, consolidated and assiduous approach to snatch this historical event by its collar to keep it afloat, I’ll say it’s just a matter of time before this event is put to rest.
A Remembrance Day Parade – Poppy Day – was indeed a parade, a never-ending procession that reflected the make-up of a large number of organisations/clubs and other groupings within the community, an event that people became accustomed to, looked forward to and participated in fully. Not so any more. But that was a time gone which is not coming back; as one man loves to say, it is drifting and fading swiftly to where it belongs. But there was a plus: the weather was fine, with a bright and sunny day, mingled with a brief light drizzle. In a coded message, the Cenotaph and its surroundings (the roundabout) were bright and clean – a serene sight.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
