Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Patrick Todd, receives the salute during the march past following the end of the Barbados Legion’s Anniversary Service held at the St. Matthias Anglican Church yesterday.
Barbadians are being urged to give generously later this year when the Barbados Poppy League undertakes its annual poppy drive to raise funds for former service men and women.
The call has come from Chairman of the Barbados Legion, Lt. Col. V. Owen Springer, who lamented that the funds collected from the annual activity are on the decline. He was speaking yesterday morning during the Barbados Legion’s Anniversary Service held at the St. Matthias Anglican Church.
“The prime objective for forming the Barbados Legion was to assist the then Barbados Poppy League with the disbursement of funds collected from the sale of poppies. Some of the money raised was sent to the UK to assist the Royal Veterans, while the majority was used to assist the indigent Barbadian soldiers who had served in World Wars. Now some 60 years on, the process is still the same. The Poppy League organises and arranges for the sale of poppies, while the Legion is responsible for the disbursement of these funds collected. All funds collected are now used for the benefit of Barbadian ex-servicemen,” he said.
Lt. Col. Springer said such money is at present being used to provide a small monthly allowance to 26 former soldiers, and also offer assistance in acquiring spectacles, toiletries, medicine and even provide minor repairs to their homes and the upkeep of their surroundings. However, he said it has not been enough, and they have had to rely on Government for additional support.
“…With the funds collected from the poppy donation diminishing each year, the Barbados Government has had to provide the Legion with an annual subvention in order that we could carry out our programme. We thank the Government of Barbados for their con-tinued support in these trying times,” he said.
While expressing gratitude for the State’s assistance, he contended that even though there are fewer soldiers alive who fought in the World Wars, Barbadians continue to get involved in wars around the world, and he said they too may need assistance in the future. As such, Lt. Col. Springer is adamant the Legion’s purpose will never be obsolete, as it ensures that veterans can live their twilight years in comfort.
“There will always be a need for a body such as the Barbados Legion to assist in bringing comfort to our fine men and women, who in their youth put country first to serve, or to be ready to serve to bring peace to this troubled world,” he stated. (JRT)