CHAIRMAN OF the National Poppy Appeal committee, Lieutenant (Lt.) Colonel (Col.) Oral Khan, is appealing to Jamaicans to support the drive to raise $3.2 million to assist ageing Jamaican ex-servicemen.
Lt. Col. Oral Khan said the 2003 'National Poppy Appeal', launched recently, would officially end in April 2004. The drive seeks to raise funds to help the Jamaica Legion, an association of ex-servicemen who fought in World War II.
The Jamaica Legion, among other things, assists the Curphey Home, an institution for ageing ex-servicemen. The home, which is located in Newport, Manchester, accommodates 21 veterans, and is the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
SERVICEMEN
Additionally, there are 700 ex-servicemen around the island, who are receiving welfare assistance through the legion. "Most of the veterans are advanced in their golden years, and not everyone has someone to assist them," Lt. Col. Khan said.
"These veterans were not selfish. They went to the war, they made their contribution, risked personal injury and death... the war was won, and we're enjoying freedom today. And the least that we can do is to help them in their latter days, just to have a decent existence," he stressed.
GIVE GENEROUSLY
"If people play their part," he added, "we can meet the target, so I am just appealing to everyone ... when you see the poppies, give generously, it's going to a worthy cause," he emphasised.
The Jamaica Legion is part of a Commonwealth organisation. "We are associated with the British Legion, which is part of the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Serviceman Legion," the chairman said.
Although the sale of poppies will be the primary fund-raiser at this time, Lt. Col. Khan explained that each parish has a committee, normally chaired by the custos of the parish, which will also undertake other fund-raising activities at the parish level.
The poppy appeal will also serve to increase awareness and encourage remembrance of the veterans' contributions to present day freedoms.
This awareness will be heightened on 'Remembrance Weekend' and especially 'Remembrance Day', which will be celebrated on November 9.
