Ex-services League kicks off Poppy Appeal
There are probably more Belizeans who have fought—and died—for the U.S. cause in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan than for the allied effort in World Wars One and Two … but wherever soldiers have fallen they are honoured each year on November eleventh. News Five’s Marion Ali reports on the upcoming observance by Belize’s Ex-Services League.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The General salute and inspection of the Guard of Honour of World War II servicemen by Governor General Sir Colville Young marked the official opening of the annual poppy appeal. The event is held each year to raise funds for veterans.
Bernard Adolphus, President, National Ex-Services League
“We are trying to help those who are in need by showcasing the poppy to members of the public. Teaching our young people what the poppy is all about, the reason why the poppy is here and the reason why they should contribute and help those people who are in need because if it wasn’t because of those elderly veteran throughout this world, throughout Belize City, if it wasn’t because of those people who contributed for the war effort perhaps you and I would not have been here.”
“Those men contributed and we must never forget, and say thank you.”
President of the National Ex-Services League, Bernard Adolphus explains that many of the veterans need money for medical treatment.
Bernard Adolphus
“That money is set aside only for medication however, if there’s a need, when I say need if someone back is against the wall, can’t eat, noh have no funds for this we would go into that fund and provide them with some seed money to buy food etc. if there is a problem but most everybody understood that that money is for health purposes, for health purposes only. That money is not touched at all, only for health purposes and we help quite a few of our men, that’s what it’s there for. And we help Corozal, we help Orange Walk, we help Dangriga, we help Punta Gorda, all over the country we help out of that funding.”
We spoke with three of those who served during World War II.
Reynaldo Salam, World War II Survivor
“We sign to forestry unit. I gaan very young, 22 years of age wen I gaan. I done mek up my mind to serve di world. That’s what I had in mind. I seh me da man, I gwyne.”
Joseph Petillo, World War II Veteran
“I went there as a labourer. We went from here as labourer.”
Marion Ali
“So you did what?”
Joseph Petillo
“Cutting pine.”
Marion Ali
“You spend a long time away?”
Joseph Petillo
“I went 42 and come back 44.”
Marion Ali
“Two years.”
Joseph Petillo
“Two years.”
Martin Enriquez, World War II Veteran
“Well it was a very good experience travelling from Belize to go to the War. Most of the time when you left Belize, we left Belize from here to Jamaica on training. From Jamaica we were taken to the United States and in the U.S. we undergo much more training in order to be fit to go to battle in the war. So from the United States we were taken to Europe and we were in Europe for a year under heavy training and from Europe then we were taken to Africa and at Africa there where the war ended with us in 1945. Well actually we were already fit, we were just waiting to go to battle when the war ended.”
In connection with Remembrance Day, the Belize City branch of the league has, since last year, decided to send wreaths to be laid at the British War Memorial site in Iraq in honour of fallen soldiers.
Francis Henkis, Chairman, Belize City Branch, Ex-Services League
“We have many people that served the British Commonwealth during both wars, World War I and World War II and up to date we still have a few men living from World War II like Mr Webster, Mr Middleton.”
Marion Ali
“How many of our men died in war?
Francis Henkis
“Well I couldn’t give you the exact figure but I know quite a few men have died from Belize.”
Last year the poppy appeal raised eight thousand dollars.
Marion Ali reporting for News Five.
The poppy became an international symbol of remembrance when Canadian Medical Officer, Colonel John McCrae wrote the poem entitled, “In Flanders Field” during the First World War. On Remembrance Day, November 11, the Ex-Services League will observe Remembrance Day with a parade, laying of a wreath at the Memorial Park. A medal given to the family of Reginald Hubert Laing, who was killed in battle in World War I was also on display this morning.
