The Passing To The Ancestors of Milton Brandford

February 5, 2010

The Trinidad and Tobago Association of Texas would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former President Milton Brandford.  He transitioned earlier this week, and a memorial service will be held Saturday February 6, 2o1o at the Shrine of the Black Madonna chapel at 11am.

The attached poem was created to celebrate his life. It was read to him, and his family on Sat. 23 Jan, when he could still enjoy it, and will be read at the Memorial Service, God willing.

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A Soldier of Our People

For Milton Branford

Sound the drum and the bells for a fallen soldier
For one who has fought the good fight.
For one who lit the torch of learning,
For one who is moving on.

Sound the drum, and the bells, for a soldier of our people is moving on.

I knew him well as a colleague and friend,
Who reached out to people of all nations, no one a stranger.
The new teacher was embraced and helped to function , because children and a better life for them, was our mission.

So, sound the drum, and the bells, for a soldier of our people is moving on.

A strong minded man he was, he forged links to other
African people,as President of the Association, and invited Nigerians, Ghanaians, and other Caribbean people to join us in our mission. Some chose not to, because they had a different vision. Because of competition.

Sound the drum, and the bells, for a soldier of our people is moving on.

He and Gem organized the first Mothers Day picnic, in order to turn the Assn. From a fete  and All Fours Group, into a family
caring group. Today, we are registered with the state, we give scholarships, and help project  a multi-cultural image of TnT in Houston.

So, sound the drum, ring the bell, a soldier of our people, is moving on.

That time he came to drop some tickets for me, something Joan was having, and they could not go, he promised Gemma he’d be right back, like so many men.
He is leaving my house, a little blonde girl is running down the street.
Four years old, and in a moment of panic, she missed her turn, and was just running, running to nowhere. I stopped her, and called the police for help. He stayed as an informed witness, keeping Gemma waiting.
A teacher, I such a case, had no choice. We must protect the state’s children.

So, ring the bell, sound the drum this soldier of our people, his work is done!

To him, and his invitations here and there, I owe two of the most significant others in my life,
One of whom, it turned out, is connected to my people with ties that reach back 195 years, to some free settlers in South Trinidad, in 1815.
Strong people, African people, who will be there to welcome this soldier, when he moves on.

The other is a connection, made through the Nigerian delegation who came at his invitation, to celebrate Independence with us.

Sound the drum, ring the bells, strike a note of jubilation, of joy, this soldier of our people is moving on, and the ancestors, are gathering, opening the gates to welcome him, as his time here is almost done. Rejoice! Roll the drums!

By Linda Edwards

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