Thirty years after the massacre, a monument will be unveiled on Friday 25 October to remember the Grenadian soldiers who died in the line of duty on both 19 and 25 October 1983.
The announcement was made by Dr Terrence Marryshow — chairman of the Maurice Bishop and October 19th 1983 Martyrs Foundation, during the annual service held at the Fort George to remember those who were killed on 19 October 1983 as a result of internal conflict within the senior members of Grenada Revolution.
“This year, to mark the 30 years since this atrocities, we will be remembering the soldiers who died for this country,” he said. The monument will be located at the central cemetery and be inscribed with the names of the 13 soldiers who died.
The US Government has a similar monument with the names of the 19 soldiers who died in Grenada during the invasion. It is located at the St George’s University, True Blue campus.
For the first time in 30 years, the National Celebrations Committee has organised a week of activities to commemorate the October 1983 atrocities which ended the island’s revolution period and re-established democratic government to the island.
Besides the National Celebrations Committee events, there are other private initiatives to commemorate 19 October — the day that former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, several of his cabinet colleagues and civilians were killed; and 25 October – the day that the US military invaded Grenada and eventually collapsed the revolutionary government.
The Committee will be holding the annual church service at the St John Anglican Church from 10 am, and at 1 pm wreaths will be laid at the St George’s Cemetery. Keeping with tradition, wreaths will be laid at the SGU monument at 5 pm.
Last week Grenadians had the opportunity to view “Forward Ever: The Killing of a Revolution.” Directed by Bruce Paddington, this comprehensive, gripping and revealing documentary tells the story of the Grenada revolution. The film features extensive, previously unseen file footage, as well as old and new interviews with many of the key players of the time.
Observing the theme “Thirty Years of Peace and Stability; Bringing Families Together,” the commemoration began last Thursday 17 October with a history quiz in all schools and an exhibition of the revolutionary period at the National Museum on 18 October.
