Saturday, February 4 2012

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WITNESS: Neal Alexis, who also appeared yesterday before the Commission on the 1990 atempted coup....

RETIRED Cadet Force captain, Neil Alexis, yesterday made an appeal for those cadets who were on duty during the July 27, 1990, to be recognised.

Alexis, who was a member of the Cadet Force for 44 years, sought recognition for his colleagues during his testimony before the commission of enquiry investigating events surrounding the attempted coup.

He said in 1990, adult cadets reported to Camp Ogden, where some stayed for three months.

In Tobago, cadets were able to commandeer a car equipped with a loud speaker and went through the villages, informing villagers there was a state of emergency in effect, and to stay indoors. Also on the sister-isle, cadet officers assisted the Regiment at Signal Hill and performed guard duties at the Scarborough Port, and the airport. “They guarded the main entry and exit points on the island,” Alexis told the commissioners.

Unlike in Port-of-Spain, Alexis said there was no looting or fires in Tobago during the insurrection.

Cadet Force officer Gerard Gift, he said, was also instrumental in getting a rifle range established on the island. The range is still used by the Cadet Force, the Army, Police and the Tobago Rifle Association.

In San Fernando, cadet officers were able to assist the police in interpreting maps seized from a Jamaat al Muslimeen member. Alexis admitted he had no details about the maps.

In Chaguaramas, cadets reported for duty at the Chaguaramas heliport under the command of Rear-Admiral Richard Kelshall.

He said although medals were given out to those in the Regiment and Coast Guard, for the service they provided during the attempted coup, cadets were left out.

Instead, they received separate medals from the Military Museum, also based in Chaguaramas.

“They felt they were not treated properly. All we are asking is that those who went out during the attempted coup be recognised with the same medal that the soldiers got,” he said.

According to Alexis, who said he wanted to give evidence at the enquiry as the Cadet Force was a voluntary organisation, cadets have been reporting for duty in all emergency situations since its inception in 1910 and provided valuable service during the Butler riots in Fyzabad in 1937, during the 1970 uprising and then again in 1990. Most cadets, he said eventually join the army and all the military personnel who testified at the enquiry, except former Army Captain Gary Griffith, were cadets.

He also said since cadets put their lives on the line for their country and often serve alongside soldiers, they should be given the same salary and pension. He said on one occasion his employers did not want to pay him while he served for six months. Alexis said he had to write the prime minister in order for him to receive his salary.