This year,? July 6th to be exact, the mining town of Linden observed the fifty first anniversary of? one of the most horrific tragedies in Guyana’s history- the blowing up of the Son Chapman Launch at Horadia, about eighteen miles from Linden.More than 40 Lindeners lost their lives that fateful day.A symposium in their honour was hosted by former Chairman of Region 10 Sharrma Solomon and Former Member of Paliament Vanessa Kissoon, both of whom posited that the Son Chapman Martyrs must be accorded the same respect as the Enmore Martyrs.That sentiment was reiterated by all who had gathered for the symposium.Unfortunately, owner of the ill fated Launch, Mr Norman Chapman, could not attend because off ill health, but he was represented by his son Joseph Chapman.Solomon noted that the event provided a good opportunity to see that there are still residents in the community who are prepared “not to forget our history.”He told the gathering that as Regional Chairman, he was afforded the privilege of being a part of the commemoration of the Son Chapman.“But we’re not in competition, I want to make that clear, I’m not delusional to believe that I am still a public figure, I’m not-I’m a resident, but I remember as Chairman I ?would have always tasked residents that those who are in authority work for you. They have to act on your behalf and fulfill the things and desires that would strengthen us as a people and as a Region.“I’m here as a citizen, ?saying that we have a part to play, and we must all play our part.Our part is that we must also be able to hold our leaders accountable- so I come to the second part of the discussion which is that there is no reason- no excuse, that ?absolutely not one single word of this most tragic event was mentioned.”Solomon called the Son Chapman tragedy the most “horrific indigenous terrorist act” that was carried out in Guyana- only second to the Jonestown massacre.He pointed out that the fact that 40 families have suffered or are suffering because of the tragedy, is unacceptable. ““It requires now for us as a community to show those families ?that we are not only going to recognize the tragedy, but we will be there with them, and we will be there for them.”Son Chapman survivor, Claude PatoirJoe Chapman,Jerseys From China, son of Norman Chapman, listens keenly as Mr. Sharma Solomon makes his presentationSolomon pointed out that Region Ten is looking to have an economic revolution- we are looking to have an education revolution in Region ten, but I’ve always said to people, before you could have any revolution, you must first have a cultural revolution. People must first have an understanding of the things that would give them the reason to struggle to have a better life.But if you don’t know your history we cannot have a cultural revolution.In alluding to the scant gathering that had assembled for the symposium, and the absence of certain leaders within the community, Solomon posited that this “is indicative of the fact that not only our leaders have forgotten, but our people also have forgotten what occurred fifty one years ago.” “As such it is not only an indictment on our leadership, it is an indictment on us all, that 40 persons will be forgotten in time, if we as a people don’t first hold our leaders accountable and don’t hold ourselves accountable.“We are not here in the interest of ridiculing anyone- we are here on behalf of those who lost their lives- and I’m saying to us all that never again in our history should such an incident occur. But If we don’t remember our past or our history we will be doomed to repeat as we move forward.“ Today, 51 years have passed since that fateful day, when more than forty of Linden’s own were massacred on the Demerara river, as they travelled home on the Son Chapman Launch.We’ve been given the opportunity to remember our past, so that we must never forget.It has been said that to live in the hearts we leave behind is not to die. How true, the men, women and children, who died on the Son Chapman 51? years ago live on in the hearts of their ?families , friends and the people of Linden.”Solomon pointed out that many Lindeners today never knew the victims of the Son Chapman tragedy, yet they are remembered and their experiences reflected upon, “as by their deaths we are provided an example of what hatred and brutality can lead to – senseless loss of so many lives and endless suffering.”Joe Chapman expressed his disappointment that a tragedy of such magnitude and? one that caused such pain ?was ‘’so low key’’, that “our leaders and members of the community did not see it fit to commemorate it.”“It was once said that if we forget the past you’re condemned to repeat it, but we hope we don’t have to repeat it.”Chapman, who had in his possession several old newspaper clippings then proceeded to read excerpts to give the audience an understanding of what occurred over five decades ago.On