Latest update September 27th, 2026 10:40 AM
Jul 07, 2019 Letters
Dear Editor,
Fifty-five 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 at 1600 hours on Monday, July 6, 1964.
It has been said that ‘To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.’ How very true! The men, women, and children who died on the Son Chapman 55 years ago live on in the hearts and minds of their families and friends. AND the people of Linden.
Many of us alive today never knew the men, women, and children of the Son Chapman massacre. Yet, we remember them and reflect on their experience because – by their deaths – we have an example of what hatred and brutality can lead to…senseless loss of life and endless suffering.
Incidents such as the Son Chapman massacre and the July18 Tragedy of 2012 must never again occur. We must take the lessons taught by tragedies such as these to guide our actions in the here and now. For our society to allow such tragedies to reoccur would be indicative of our collective unwillingness to learn and grow as a society.
The survivors of the Son Chapman – 6 crewmen and 26 passengers – must also be remembered for they represent God’s never ending mercy and the resilience of the people of Linden.
This experience has made us stronger. The people of This region are know for staring adversity in the face and have overcome
May God rest the souls of the men,women, and children of the Son Chapman.
And may God bless the people of Linden and Region 10.
Sharma Solomon
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Sep 27, 2026
– In Courts Pee Wee U11 Football tournament (Kaieteur News) – St Pius Primary delivered one of the biggest shocks of Round Two, handing Bartica powerhouse St John the Baptist Primary its...Sep 27, 2026
(Kaieteur News) – The treatment of High Court Justice Gino Persaud is troubling. And equally disturbing is the silence of the Bar Association of Guyana. Reports in the media, which have not been contradicted, indicated that Justice Persaud was prevented from boarding a flight to Jamaica, where...Sep 20, 2026
By Sir Ronald Sanders (Kaieteur News) – Crime in Latin America and the Caribbean is no longer only a matter for the police. It is weakening societies, draining economies and obstructing development. It is also testing public confidence in courts, governments and democratic institutions. The...Sep 27, 2026
Hard truths… (Kaieteur News) – The hope is that Guyanese are grasping what’s happening to their homeland. Forces of darkness are dismantling Guyana, one place and guardrail at a time; and one citizen and guardian at a time. Guyanese are free to define ‘forces of darkness’ however...Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com