BY JULIE CARRINGTON | OCT 19, 2022
PICTURED ABOVE : Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham (right) presents a Silver Award to WO2 Winfield Boyce for his years of invaluable service to the Barbados Poppy League. (T. Barker/BGIS)
Chief Justice Sir Patterson Cheltenham, is calling for a rethink of the messaging regarding the sacrifices of the veterans who fought valiantly in World Wars I and II to give greater visibility to the fallen and surviving heroes.
Sir Patterson emphasised this recently as he delivered the feature address at the 100th Anniversary Celebrations of the Barbados Poppy League under the patronage of The President of Barbados, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, at State House.
He told the audience that those who ran institutions must “remain acutely conscious of generational change and the need to tailor one’s message to the varied demographic groups that emerged in the course of the last 100 years”.
Sir Patterson stated: “The several awardees this evening are the heirs to as worthy a human endeavour as imaginable. On display is courage, commitment and unflagging belief in the core values represented by the Barbados Poppy League. Many of your deeds remain unsung and unheralded.”
The Chief Justice continued: “The human touch which you bring to the recipients of your efforts runs deeply and will always be respected and appreciated. In an era that frowns upon service, your dedication to this cause represents the highest and finest in the human spirit. To all awardees, I express my admiration at your deep sense of duty to your fellow man. Your example is exemplary and worthy of wider emulation. No organisation can reach its centenary unless, at its core, there is a small band of humanity that places the welfare of others before self.”
Sir Patterson contended that although Barbadians have become accustomed to the sale of poppies in October, he was disappointed about the apparent lack of support for the veterans and suggested more education among the youth about the history of the Poppy League and its purpose.
Meanwhile, President of the Barbados Poppy League, Lt. Colonel Neville Edwards, said there had been a decline in contributions to the annual Poppy Appeal as a result of the “economic times that we are living in”.
He shared that 2013 was the best year with $106,721.55 raised while the pre-COVID-19 low was 2018 when $65,984.35 was realised. “For the two pandemic years, the appeals yielded $58,227.70 in 2020 and $60,578.45 in 2021, somewhat lower than the pre-pandemic figures because, understandably. There were no face-to-face or on street collections,” Mr. Edwards informed.
Additionally, the President said the League received an annual subvention of $176,000, of which $44,000 was paid out per quarter. The subvention received was added to the funds collected from the Appeal.
Mr. Edwards noted that there was still a heavy demand on the League to assist with health care, medical expenses and home repairs and pledged to come up with additional ways to increase funding.
During the proceedings, 32 military veterans who gave yeoman service to the League received gold, silver and bronze awards. Among the awardees were retired Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force Brigadier Sir Rudyard Lewis, Retired Lieutenant Colonel Florence Gittens, The Barbados Cadet Corps and retired Major David Binks.
