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Unit Notice Board
They
went bearing many gifts
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| WO1 Errol McKenzie
briefing his party on arrival at Curphy Home |
A party
of 120, from the Garrison Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Messes of the 2nd
Battalion The Jamaica Regiment and the 3rd Battalion The Jamaica
Regiment (National Reserve), their families and friends, on the second
Sunday of September 2002, converged on the grounds of Curphey Home in
Mandeville, Manchester, the residence of old and indigent soldiers,
including war veterans. The visit is an annual event organized by the 3rd
Battalion, this time spearheaded by the Unit’s Regimental Sergeant Majors,
Warrant Officer Class 1 (WO 1) Errol McKenzie (RSM – PSI) and WO1 Bernard
Williams (Unit RSM and mess chairman), in conjunction with the
Superintendent and Matron of Curphey Home.
“The
workday began at approximately 11:00 a.m. with various activities taking
place simultaneously, “
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| Sergeant Hylton
Josephs conversing with Corporal Armstrong (RAF) |
said WO
1 McKenzie describing the day’s activities. “It was an atmosphere surrounded
and filled with the sounds of hand saw ripping through boards, hammers
beating away, shovels mixing concrete, paint brushes flashing, barrows
moving to and fro, a little chit chat and laughter here and there as the
skilled and the unskilled tried to play their part in giving the entire
front section of the Home a face lift. We even had a female who was involved
in masonry,” he said proudly. “Others contributed by engaging the residents
in conversation, strolling them around in wheel chairs, taking them for
walks, exposing them to the fresh air on the outside.”
About
midday the soldiers were joined by about 30 members of the Red Cross who
helped by interacting with the residents and giving them words of comfort.
All these activities said RSM McKenzie, were done to the soothing background
music of a disco provided by the Home’s superintendent.
While
their workday ended at 2:30 p.m., it was certainly not the end of the visit.
The residents of Curphey Home and all those who gathered were provided with
a sumptuous meal of chicken, fish, rice and peas, vegetables, a variety of
beverages and desert of ice cream, cake and melon. Most of the residents
were fed by the female members of the party.
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| .Lance Corporal
Garnett Green of 1 Engineer Regiment(JDF) taking out one of the resident
for fresh air. |
Following the meal, all were entertained by the 3rd Battalion’s
cultural band. So enthralled were they that some even sang along with the
band. Those who could not sing nodded their heads and shook their legs in
approval. Family members and friends also gave performances much to the
delight of the residents.
When
the day’s activities came to an end at about 4:45 p.m., RSM McKenzie said
that he observed expressions of satisfaction and fulfillment on everyone’s
faces. With evident pleasure, WO I McKenzie noted that once again that the 3rd
Battalion Warrant Officers’ and Sergeants’ Mess had left its indelible mark
on the residents and buildings of Curphey Home.
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| Two ladies from the
Red Cross assisting with serving of the meal. Helping with
the soup tray is Mrs Ileen Williams, wife of Mess Chairman |
Mason,
Ms. Shaunette Marshall being entertained by one of the old soldiers. |
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