Today Newspaper St. Maarten

Letter: Hear them now

Dear Brother Eldridge,

You should hear them now. Don’t laugh Eld, whether its radio, internet, tv, the blogs, you name it. I have heard people call you such wonderful names. Don’t laugh too hard, they might hear you. Through all the battles that you have fought. Through your triumphs and defeats none of them ever came out and call a spade a spade. Today you are the biggest thing after sliced bread. Even your acknowledged enemies are saying such wonderful things about you. My brother, your real friends know that you were an eagle among these doves.
As the good book says, “a prophet is never acknowledged in his own country.”
Eld, I am thankful for having the privilege for you being my friend, my buddy and my fellow warrior. Your fearlessness, your courage, and your leadership in battle were an inspiration to all of us. In the heat of the many battles I can still hear you saying “Let’s go at them Roxy, let’s go at them.”
Eld we are going to miss that laugh, the hat, the charisma, the voice and the presence. Thank you. You gave all you had. You gave us an unconditional friendship, support, guidance and loyalty to the very end.
Eld, don’t worry. You have done your part, and in each battle we fight in the future it will be in your name.
My dear comrade, you now dwell among the greatest that we have ever known. And on behalf of all the brothers and sisters you left behind in the struggle, you may now lay back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.
May our almighty God protect you and guide you in your final journey.
Eld, by the way, regards from Denicio, Antonio, Elton and other comrades. They told me to tell you not to forget to sajy hello to Krolis and tell them him that his work with “We fo We” is still ongoing. I am sure you remember Boromeo and Julian Roach – just tell them hello.
Eld after you settle away ask for Martin Luther King and tell him that we are not all free yet, but we are still working on it. Tell him hello. What’s her name again? Rosa Parks. Remember we saw her at the million man march in Washington? Tell her they still want to put us in the back of the bus again, but most of us are refusing. Give her and Hariette Tubman a special hello.
Remember Rosie Douglas from Dominica? You brought him to my office while in government. Look him up and make sure to say hello from all of us.
Those Haitian bothers – Toussaint and Dessaline – look them up and tell them thanks on behalf of all of us. And while you telling them hello, say hi to Tula, Carpata and Papa Godett. Eld, those were some men like you – fearless and selfless.
I can’t close this letter without asking you to greet Michael Manley, Maurice Bishop, Steve Biko, Dr. Eric Williams, Bradshaw, Forbus Burnham and John Compton on behalf of some of the Caribbean and African people you fought for while you were with us on St. Maarten. Eld, you were in your finest hour when you represented all these Caribbean people in the ILS 2000 union.
In my next letter, I will let you know if anyone ever got a better settlement than you did with Port de Plaisance dispute.
In case you are wondering the Pelican workers are still waiting.
Eld, I know you are tired by now and I too would to enjoy your rest.
Our regards to all and we pray that we meet again, where we can all laugh, frolic and play under the protection and watchful eye of our Almighty God, which are in heaven.
Sincerely, and on behalf of all your comrades,
your brother,

Julian H. Rollocks.