By Lincoln G. Peters
The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Lonestar Cell MTN and the Ministry of Defense (MOD) over the weekend carried out a joint clean up exercise and held a brief memorial for all those that lost their lives in the Borough of New Kru Town during a crusade stampede last month.
The memorial service was held at the D. Twe Sports pitch in New Kru Town, aimed at remembering the dead and identifying with the families of the victims.
The service began with a community outreach cleanup campaign which started from the Point Four Junction, continued at the newly constructed Duala Market and ended in the Borough of Kru Town.
The day’s activities climaxed with a brief memorial service for all those who died during a stampede that occurred when Apostle Abraham Kromah, Senior Pastor of the Living World International Ministries, organized a night-time crusade on the D. Twe Sports Pitch.
Officials say 31 victims died and several others were injured as a result of the stampede.
The cleanup exercise started as early as 6:45 AM and it was done through the joint – effort of the AFL, MOD and Lonestar Cell MTN as part of their civilian outreach service ahead of this year’s celebration of the Armed Forces Day which is done on 11 February each year.
The exercise brought together soldiers from the Barclay Training Center (B.T.C) barracks based at the Ministry of Defense down Lynch Street, and the Free Zone barrack on the Bushrod Island.
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They were accompanied by the army band which played as the community service was being carried out.
It attracted a huge number of residents from the communities including women and children who stood by the road and watched the three institutions carry out the cleanup exercise.
Some residents brought trash from their homes to the main streets and they were collected, placed in the army pick-up and transported to the intended destination for disposal.
Remarking at the D. Twe Memorial High School soccer pitch during the laying of wreath, Lonestar Cell MTN Communication Manager Madam Lisa R. White said the company is very broken and disheartened to find out about the tragedy that occurred in New Kru Town.
According to her, when the incident happened, Lonestar Cell MTN went on social media and came up with a statement identifying and sharing the sympathy of all those that were affected.
“We are very sorry for what happened here. Lonestar Cell MTN, we are a business, but we are people who live and work in New Kru Town. We are here for you, we feel your pains and we are here to identify with you,” she said.
Madam White said the gathering at New Kru Town over the weekend was a partnership between Lonestar Cell MTN, AFL and MOD, adding: “Again we are sorry and take heart for what happened.”
Speaking on behalf of the AFL, Col. Theophilus Dana, Brigade Commander of the 23rd Infantry, expressed regret and sorrow over the situation, noting that they are broken and saddened by the death of those Liberians.
“On behalf of the AFL, we say sorry for what all this has caused you. Today is a sad day and time as we observe and pay homage on 65th Armed Forces Day which will be celebrated shortly,” he said.
He urged the bereaved to take heart, as the AFL prayed that God Almighty continues to console everyone.
Also speaking, Deputy Defense Minister for Operations Mr. Prince K. Vincent also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families, adding that they are concerned about what happened.
The Governor of the Borough of New Kru Town, Mr. Moses Doe Weah thanked the team for coming to their aid and for also cleaning up the entire Borough.
He added that they cannot question God about what has happened.
The cleanup exercise was also observed by Maj. General Prince C. Johnson, III, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Liberia, along with Assistant Defense Minister for Press and Public Affairs, Mr. Sam Collins, among other top officials.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/top-foreign-military-officials-head-to-monrovia/
