The United Nations Headquarters based in the United States has presented a check of US$66, 990 to SSG 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’s Super Camp Base in Timbuktu.
The attack which took place on May 3, 2017, resulted into the death of one of the AFL soldiers thereby leaving seven others badly wounded including SSG Titus who is now confined to a wheelchair.
Presenting the check to SSG Titus, AFL Chief of Staff, Prince C. Johnson, III, lauded the Government of Liberia for the engagement with the United Nations in making the soldier’s 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 stressing, “There is no replacement for life and disability” and therefore expressed gratitude to the soldier for his services rendered his country and the people of Mali.
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.
In another development the Armed Forces of Liberia has bided farewell to the United States of America Defense Attaché to Liberia, Lt. Col. Matthew Alden, following two years of his service in Liberia.
Maj/Gen. Johnson recounted the good working relationship between the American government’s Defense Attaché office and the Armed Forces of Liberia that resulted to 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 IMET (Int’l Military Education Training), the continued involvement of AFL in the OBAMGAME 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. Alden’s time of duty in Liberia.
The outgoing American Defense Attaché also 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.