People too scared to come in town

Members of the protective services donned ceremonial wear, but stood stern faced and heavily armed at the surrounding streets while the National Remembrance Day programme progressed. Acting President of the Republic, Dr Linda Baboolal along with Prime Minister Patrick Manning and his wife, Senator Hazel Manning all braved the scorching sun and stood surrounded by bodyguards who held umbrellas open, as they observed the military routine by the armed contingents of the protective services.

President George Maxwell Richards left early yesterday to witness Wednesday’s return clash between Trinidad and Tobago and Bahrain in Bahrain.

Standing on the outskirts of the Remembrance Day proceedings were a few civilians who turned out to witness the event.

A senior police officer who did not wish to be named, remarked, "This is the first time I have ever seen such a small turnout for Memorial Day. Usually all four sides of the park and even the streets are lined with people who come to see the parade. This is very surprising. There is hardly anybody here," said the police officer.

Asked whether security had been heightened following the turn of events within the past week, the officer confirmed that an emergency plan was in full effect, but declined to give further details.

An aged woman who wore a flowing "national coloured" dress told Newsday no "State of Emergency" would stop her from attending the Remembrance Day event.

"I doing this for years now. Is every year I come here. I getting older and not even the aches and pains could stop me from coming here. I love this and this is a part of our history. No terrorist people or State of Emergency could stop me from coming here. " said the energetic woman.

Another elderly woman, who would only give her name as Hilda, said she too noticed a considerably smaller crowd attending yesterday’s event.

"It’s almost like people running scared. I think the poor turnout today has a lot to do with what is going on in the country. People like they afraid to leave their homes now," said Hilda.

Following the laying of the first wreath by Baboolal at the base of the Veterans Statue, Manning and National Security Minister, Martin Joseph did the same. Appointed ministers of religion also offered prayers in memory of fallen war veterans. Father Allan Ventour called for those alive to "learn from the tragedies of misery" and for persons to pattern behaviours "which will never lead to a World War III."