PHOTO: SSG Jefferson Parpie Titus (middle) receiving the check
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The United Nations through the government of Liberia has turned over a check of 66, 990 United States Dollars to Staff Sergeant Jefferson Parpie Titus of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) as permanent disability benefit.
SSG Titus, while serving on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali became one of the victims from a major bomb blast attack at an AFL Base (Super Camp, Timbuktu).
The attack, which took place on May 3, 2017, resulted into the death of one AFL soldier leaving seven others badly wounded including SSG Titus now is a wheelchair user.
Presenting the check to SSG Titus, AFL Chief of Staff, Major General Prince C. Johnson lauded the Liberian government for the engagement with the United Nations in making the soldier benefits a reality.
The AFL Chief of Staff regretted the permanent disability faced by the soldier as a result of the injury sustained while on mission.
He further stressed that there is no replacement for life and disability and expressed gratitude to the soldier for his services rendered his country and the people of Mali.”
In response, SSG Titus expressed joy over the role played by the Ministry of National Defense and the AFL in getting his benefits from the United Nations.
AFL Chief of Staff presenting gift to the outgoing US Defense Attaché
In another development, the high command of the AFL has bided farewell to the United States of America Defense Attaché to Liberia, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Alden, following two years of his tour of duty in Liberia.
Speaking at the occasion, AFL Chief of Staff, Major General Prince C. Johnson, recounted the good working relationship between the American government Defense Attaché office and the AFL that resulted into the Liberian military gaining more training opportunities from the US government.
The AFL Chief of Staff named the provision of the Gene-Expert Machine to the 14 Military Hospital, the increase in budgetary allotment for the International Military Education Training, the continued involvement of AFL in the international exercise, the provision of scholarships for personnel of the AFL to attend military schools in the United States of America as well as logistical support to the AFL as some of the many benefits Liberia attained from Lt. Col. Matthew Alden’s time of duty in Liberia
In response, the outgoing American Defense Attaché, Lt. Col. Matthew Alden recounted the good working relationship he had with the AFL and the Ministry of National Defense, stressing that he will continue to seek more avenues to assist the AFL and the Ministry of National Defense.