Dear Editor,
Mr A Singh’s letter captioned “Remembrance Day is a colonial hangover” (07.11.15) has not only insulted our historical and educational systems but also those of the free world. When I attended school during the 50s mid 60s, we were made aware of our historical past especially since we were once colonized and playing a part in the Commonwealth.
The writer attacks the President, officials of our country, the disciplined forces, scout associations, diplomatic corps and especially our “veteran soldiers” for participating in this global exercise by nations remembering and honouring their fallen countrymen in the first and second world wars. He is an ungrateful individual. If Singh classifies bestowing honour and tribute for those that died for him, his family and friends as “stupidness” then he needs to be in Iraq and Afghanistan facing the friendly fire.
I am in the process of responding to a very positive observation by one of my former army leaders Rt. Brigadier David Granger. We were not present during 1914-1918 or on March 7-8, 1936 when Germany occupied Rhineland; 1937 when Japan attacked British and American gunboats in the Yangtze river; 1938 when Germany moved against Austria; 1939 when the British formally declared war on Germany; 1940 Finland, Norway and Belgium or in 1941 with the British in Tobruk.
Maybe one or more of our Guyanese veteran soldiers were there on May 27, 1941 when the battle ship Bismarck was sunk or between November 1-4, 1942 at the site for the battle for El Alamein or at Tarawa, Pacific in 1943. Our Guyanese servicemen were happy when the allies landed on the beaches of Normandy in 1944 or celebrated the victory at Elbe River with the Soviets and Americans in 1945. Maybe too, our Guyanese heroes heard the explosion in Berlin on April 30, 1945 that marked the closure of Adolph Hitler ending a cruel era of world history.
President Jagdeo, government officials, diplomats, disciplined services (past and present) and scouts in Guyana never had audience with Erwin Rommel, Franklin Roosevelt, Sir Winston Churchill or Field Marshal Montgomery.
Our “veteran soldiers” would have played a part in events as orders come down the chain of command and they fought with the British and their allies creating that possibility.
Writer A Singh should ascend Mount Roraima and shout a big “Thank You” to me, Brig Granger, Major General (rtd) Joseph Singh, Brigadier (rtd) Edward Collins, Colonel Ronald Pope, Colonel Clarence Price, Captains Smith, Murphy and Frankie Vieira and many more commissioned and non-commissioned officers plus thousands of soldiers who opened an umbrella of security for him, his parents and all Guyanese so that Guyana’s western border is not Boerasirie and ensuring the preservation of the English language; permitting him to write to the Stabroek News in English and not Spanish.
I am proud to be one of many who played a part in my country’s military history. For the past fighting men of World Wars I and II who sacrificed their lives so I and many can be free – many thanks.
Yours faithfully,
Ashton Simon
