They aren't often acknowledged, but there are Belizean world war veterans who were in the British Army. Most of them lived to tell the story but those who served are now themselves in need of services, in the form of medical and financial support. The job of caring for these veterans rests with the Belize Ex-servicemen League. Today the league launched its annual Poppy Appeal. Here's why you should help.
Keith Swift Reporting,
82-year-old Rudolph Middleton and 85-year-old Martin Enriquez are two of the 62 Belizeans that served in World War two in the British Honduras' first battalion. Of the 62 that served from 1943 to 1945 - Middleton and Enriquez are two of the 8 that are still alive today. The men never fought in the war but they vividly remember that they went as far as Italy.
Rudolph Middleton, Veteran
"We served in Italy and we served during the war."
Keith Swift,
You fought alongside this gentleman?
Rudolph Middleton,
"We were together, we were in the same army, the same regiment."
Keith Swift,
So you got as far as to Italy?
Martin Enriquez, Veteran
"And we went to Egypt. We were all in Europe. We served the whole Middle East."
Keith Swift,
What do these medals mean to you guys?
Rudolph Middleton,
"Well like it is being said, once a soldier, always a soldier."
88-year-old Alfred Pandy also never made it to the war field. He served for seven years in the British North Caribbean Force. His service medal is for the 25 years he served in the prison service.
Alfred Pandy, Veteran
"When the boys went over, I went behind to command school. One of the medal that I have here is a service medal. I lost the proficiency medal."
Keith Swift,
What do these medals and being a veteran mean to you?
Alfred Pandy,
"It means a lot. To me it means my life."
But Pandy and these other veterans don't have much of a life left. Old age has left them unable to care for themselves and they must rely on the Ex-Servicemen League. That is this red flower comes in. It is called a poppy and with this little flower - the league hopes to raise enough money to care for the veterans.
Bernard Adolphus,
"Some of them, most of their siblings died. We have people right now that were married and outlived their children. They outlived their sons, they outlived their grandchildren and they have some that have no means, no means at all."
Keith Swift,
What is the target?
Bernard Adolphus,
"My target, if I could reach $5,000 no problem."
Bernard Adolphus is the Ex-Servicemen's League President. He says the reason why we should be there for our veterans is because they were there for us.
Bernard Adolphus,
"If these veterans, if they did not volunteer to have gone abroad many years ago, at 18 and 19, perhaps you and I wouldn't have been here. In whatever capacity, they helped the war effort."
The poppies are available widely. The appeal officially ends on Sunday November 12th. We should note that on that day a wreath will be laid in Basra, Iraq - at a tomb where the remains of 16 Belizean servicemen who died during the war are interred.
