FATHER Terrence Montrose bemoaned society’s apparent callous attitude towards the senseless killing of young men, during a Memorial Service held to mark the 10th Death Anniversary of the murdered Lindo Creek miners.

In his Homily at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception (Brickdam) on Wednesday, Father Montrose said too many young men have died for no reason at all. “Our society somehow seems to be callous at the death of so many young men,” he said.
In the case of Cedric Arokium, Dax Arokium, Compton Speirs, Horace Drakes, Nigel Torres, Bonny Harry, Clifton Wong and Lancelot Lee, whose charred remains were discovered at a mining camp at Lindo Creek on June 21, 2008, their perpetrators are yet to be brought to justice.
According to Father Montrose, there are so many unanswered questions.
“Ten years later we are still enquiring who, why, how but these brothers of ours, these sons of ours, these fathers are gone. For 10 years we have tried to understand and we mourn and we cry out for justice,” he said.

Committing the men into the hands of God, Father Montrose expressed the hope that one day the story would be told allowing for closure. “We can make no sense of their deaths but only faith will carry us on, hoping that one day justice will prevail,” he added.
Wednesday was the first time relatives and friends of the eight murdered miners gathered for a joint Memorial Service. In a somber atmosphere at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Father Montrose carried on the service, with prayers and biblical scriptures being read along with the singing of several hymns.

Prior to the service, relatives of the miners read tributes, sang songs of comfort and read poems as they celebrated the lives of their loved ones.

Natalie Mc Donald, the aunt of Horace Drakes was the first to take the podium. Mc Donald said her nephew was known as the “jack of all trade” due to his ability to work in varying fields in his quest to acquire an honest dollar.

“He was a quiet, humble and hard working person,” she said while noting that he was among the main breadwinners of the family. Reflecting on the massacre, Mc Donald contended that the murderers must have been “heartless” to commit such gruesome act.
Dax Arokium’s mother, and sister-in-law of Cedric Arokium, Jacklyn Arokium broke down as she recited a poem in remembrance of her loved son, and brother-in-law.
Kimberly Arokium – the daughter of Cedric Arokium – in giving her tribute, said her father would have been 62-years-old if he was not murdered in 2008. Still saddened by his ‘untimely’ death, Kimberly said her father was a fun loving individual as she too broke down in tears.

Yonette Torres, mother of Nigel Torres; and 80-year-old Carmen Gittens – Compton Speirs’ sister, were among those who also offered tributes.

Though no government official was present during the memorial service, chairman of the Lindo Creek Massacre Commission of Inquiry (COI), Justice (Ret’d) Donald Trotman; the Commission’s Attorney, Patrice Henry; co-owner of the Lyken Funeral Home, Dr. Dawn Stewart; columnists Dr. David Hinds and Freddie Kissoon were among those who were present aside from relatives and friends.

In offering brief remarks, Dr. Stewart told those present that, though she was not related to the victims, she had the opportunity as a mortician to prepare and maintain the remains of the miners. Dr. Stewart assured relatives of the remains of their loved ones were “well taken care of” during the four years they were kept at the Lyken Funeral Home.
In March, 2018 Stewart told the Commission that the country’s then Crime Chief, Seelall Persaud had ordered back in 2012 that the charred remains of the Lindo Creek victims be lumped into a single coffin and buried, but she objected.

On September 11, 2012, the remains were prepared for burial, but only after consistent queries by the Lyken Funeral Home, Dr. Stewart said, noting that it was the longest period the parlor in its 95 years of existence, had ever kept human remains.

The remains were placed into three different coffins, a small home-going service was held by the funeral home for the miners before interment at the Le Repentir Cemetery.
Today, a Memorial Walk will be held in remembrance of the miners, and a renewed call for justice. From 10:00hrs, relatives and friends of the Lindo Creek Massacre victims will assemble at the Square of the Revolution dressed in black and white, before moving off at 10:30hrs south of Vlissingen Road unto Cemetery Road, before culminating at the Le Repentir Cemetery, where wreaths will be laid and helium balloons released into the air.