Erect a shrine/monument in remembrance of Jonestown dead

Nov 17, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
The CNN broadcast, via local channels over the past few days, about the tragedy at Jonestown was refreshing in the sense that it was actually the first time I paid much attention and have a wider understanding of the issue.

As much as I would have loved to learn more from high ranking officials who might still be around, it is my gut belief that a lot more was never made public, and I believe that that will never become available.

I will settle for what is available, and try to keep a brighter side, for I wouldn’t like to become public enemy number one and one who seems to be digging up old graves. My proposal to the authorities in collaboration with the opposition is to erect a shrine or monument in commemoration of the innocent that lost their lives; and an ideal venue will be the Botanical Gardens.

In honouring those lives, especially those of the 303 children, it would be such a colourful remembrance and joy to have 303 children selected randomly (local and foreign based) during the ceremony and having 303 ballons released for those in remembrance.

Partial concept of mine for the nameless children would be to have a teddy bear imbedded on the shrine or monument as representation, and a special song written and sung during every remembrance day.

T. Pemberton