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HOME	JUNE 04th, 2005

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JUN 04

Grenada will be represented at the 29th Conference of Ex -Servicemen and the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services Legion planned for Ottawa, Canada from June 18-24.

This country's representatives are President of the Grenada Veterans Association, Claude Bartholomew and Vice President James Dumont. Bartholomew told GRENADA TODAY Tuesday that the Conference will provide an opportunity for each of the countries represented to present a report on the status of their local organisations.

He said that his presentation will be based on the plight of the 36 surviving veterans and how they are coping in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan. Bartholomew promised to use the conference to appeal for more financial assistance for his members since five of them had completely lost their homes while the others suffered damage to their roofs as a result of the hurricane last year.

The President of the local veterans association said that raising the issue of an increase in subvention for veterans at the meeting is necessary. He spoke of several of them in need of special medication but are experiencing difficulty in purchasing them because of the high cost. Presently, there are ten bed-ridden veterans, some of whom are in the care of family members.

Bartholomew also promised to speak about the recent award given to Private Johnson Beharry, a Grenadian soldier serving in the British army. The St. Mark's resident was awarded the Victoria Cross two months ago for his bravery during the war in Iraq in which he saved the lives of several of his colleagues.

According to Bartholomew, he believes the relaying of the Beharry story will act as an incentive to get more young people to read about World Wars 1 and 2 and may act as a booster for the sale of poppies to commemorate Veteran's Day. Bartholomew expressed gratitude for the assistance given to the local association by the regional and international associations in the aftermath of hurricane Ivan last year.

This is the seventh Conference Bartholomew will be attending in his capacity as president of the local association. He was given the opportunity to represent Grenada in England, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia as well as Barbados. This is Dumont's first official trip on behalf of the association.

Fifty-two countries are scheduled to attended the Ottawa event, fifteen of which are expected to come from the Caribbean.