By Augustine Octavius-augustineoctavius@gmail.com
About a dozen of the children of victims of the 1980 April 12 military coup on Friday, April 12, 2019, converged at the memorial triangle in the Liberian capital, Monrovia. There, they laid wreaths over the remains of the late President William R Tolbert and 13 others killed during the coup, who were were buried.
This year is the 39th anniversary of the bloody coup.
The memorial triangle is a name given to the monument constructed on the mass grave at the Center Street Grave Yard by the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention and relatives of the victims for the contribution made by President Tolbert to the state, the church and humanity during his regime.
Speaking during the wreaths laying ceremony at the monument, former Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Dr. Richard Tolbert, disclosed that their focus on President Tolbert for the sacrifices he made for this nation.
“We do not want to forget that he impacted the nation and world in many ways.”
She said as President of the World Baptist Alliance, he traveled around the world sharing the gospel and in Africa , he initiated peace in the Nigerian civil war and assisted in the negotiation of Zimbabwe .
“We are not mourning the death of Dr. Tolbert but celebrating his life that he lived.”
During his administration, Dr. Tolbert championed the “Mat to Mattress” policy, eradication of disease, ignorance and poverty.
She called on all Liberians to join the fight against ignorance, poverty and disease in the country.
“We pray that this nation will never experience this menace in our country again. We pray that never again that this nation will be torn apart,” he said as he was laying a wreath on the tomb of the fallen heroes.
He disclosed that a bigger program will be held on April 22, 2019 in remembrance of the 13 officials of the Tolbert government executed publicly following the military coup.
In remarks, the former City Mayor of Bentol, Christian Tolbert Norman, thanked God for been able to remember the 39 anniversary of the assassination of the late President.
“We do not want forget his rich heritage, his great leadership nationally and globally .We do not want forget his role he play in the country.”
During his presidency, he also was elected Chairman of the Organization of African Unity now the African Union and campaigned for the liberation of Africa,
According to her, the family will be celebrating his birthday on May 12, 2019 ; which is his 106th birth anniversary.
“We have the assurance that Dr. Tolbert is living internally in heaven after labor on earth.”
Mrs. Norman called on Liberians to pray for the present leadership of President George Weah because once it is well with him , it will be well with all Liberians.
During the program, former Deputy Agriculture Minister, Dr. Charles McClain prayed for forgiveness of all Liberians and save the country with success under this government.
The program, which coincided with Thanksgiving Day , was graced by the relatives of Dr. Tolbert, the Parker, the McClain , the Henries among others
On April 12, 1980, seventeen enlisted men under the leadership of Master Samuel Kanyon Doe overthrew the True Wing Party regime and assassinated President William Tolbert.
Few day later, several officials of the government were executed publicly along the road now known as the Redemption Street , just behind the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia.
Dr. Tolbert can be remembered as the best educated President that country has ever had since the founding of the country in 1847.