By:Curtis Morton
A somber memorial service was held at the Charlestown Methodist Church on Monday 17th October, in honour of the late youthful Nevisian Cricketer, Philo Wallace and by extension, some twenty-three other individuals who had been violently slain over the past couple of years, were also fondly remembered.
Philo was gunned down one year previously on October 17th 2015, by a Police Officer.
The service of memorial was initiated by the group, referred to as ‘Save St. Kitts-Nevis,’ ably led by Mrs. Ruth Powell and was superbly coordinated by the Nevis Christian Council and Evangelical Association.
Leading out in the service were: Rev. Telford Matthew and Pastor Eversley Pemberton. A stirring sermon was presented by Arch Deacon Alston Percival who implored the parents to look out for their children and to nurture them in the right way by having home devotions, taking them to church and inculcating proper values in them from very young.
Also giving remarks, was former West Indies All-rounder and current regional umpire, Carl Tuckett, who noted that the passing of Philo, has affected him and the entire Pennyless All Stars team in a very bad way and opined that he would have become a Cricketing star for the region, if he had been given the opportunity to live.
Pastor Ron Daniel in his brief remarks, implored individuals not to seek revenge but to endeavour to forgive and Mrs. Ruth Powell, in her presentation noted that even though the general public should support the Police in their efforts to curtail crime, they should not remain silent when one of their own is a perpetrator.
Mrs. Elaine Titley presented a scripture reading and intermittent prayers were offered by the Pastors present.
Among those present at the service, were Premier Vance Amory; Hon. E. Robelto Hector; Raphael Wallace (father of Philo) and members of his family; members of the Pennyless All Stars Club and dozens of community minded citizens and residents.