By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
WORLD War II veterans boycotted the annual Remembrance Day event at Christ Church Cathedral on Sunday over a dispute about seating arrangements and their continued frustration with the government’s failure to raise their pension.
Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, other Cabinet ministers and members of the opposition party were among the many people in attendance for the special event.
However, notably absent from the front row benches in the church were any of the 20 living veterans registered with the British Legion’s Nassau Branch.
The men, who are between 87 and 95 years old, were reportedly told that as a group they could only bring 12 people.
This prompted them to deliver an ultimatum, saying that the limit on how many people they could bring should be lifted or they would not attend the event hailing their participation in the war and the lives lost.
“Veterans would not have been able to bring some relatives with them and some of them need the aid for seating, two especially who are blind,” said Adina Munroe, a representative of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force who heads the group. “They need assistance for their travel. To tell them they could come but their relatives can’t was something they weren’t prepared to live with.”
The decision to limit the number of relatives the veterans were allowed to bring came during a National Remembrance Day Committee meeting, Ms Munroe said.
She said the feeling of being slighted was exacerbated by the fact that the veterans have had no relief in their years-long battle to get a rise in their pension.
They are paid $11 per month.
In May 2014, veterans of the British Legion met with State Finance Minister Michael Halkitis to discuss a pension increase.
Ms Munroe told The Tribune at the time that Mr Halkitis responded positively to their concerns and said he would consult with his colleagues and respond to them later on.
Comments
Sickened 8 years, 5 months ago
$11 per month??? Our successive governments are a disgrace. $11 doesn't even cover the fees many banks charge to maintain a savings account.
Our people continually show that we don't care about our young, our old, our poor and now our middle class.
John 8 years, 5 months ago
However, notably absent from the front row benches in the church were any of the 20 living veterans registered with the British Legion’s Nassau Branch.
The men, who are between 87 and 95 years old, were reportedly told that as a group they could only bring 12 people.
Tell me this ain't so.. The event is to honor them and their comrades and they could only bring 12? And their benefit is only $11.00 a month? that has to be a mistake! say it ain't so.
TruePeople 8 years, 5 months ago
its so....... Fight and die in our wars, and then afterwards........... ya sorry for you buddy good knowin ya....... That's part of why Bob Marley sey every government in the world today is an illegal gov't..... use they use people
sealice 8 years, 5 months ago
meanwhile the first 3 rows are reserved for the dinks in suits that call themselves PLP
Honestman 8 years, 5 months ago
Disgusting treatment but no more than we have come to expect from this administration.
TruePeople 8 years, 5 months ago
i think you mean to say "any administration"......
birdiestrachan 8 years, 5 months ago
For Heavens sake raise their pension pay. besides they are up in age allow them to enjoy what ever years God may give them going forward. Besides it is not that many of them left.
VDSheep 8 years, 5 months ago
What did they really fight about. Then or now; nothing to do with democracy, liberty, justice or the rule of law to help the masses. It was then and now to help the ruling class. People go out to fight their stupid wars and those that come home are treated worse than being in war.
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