22/12/2021
A Tribute to Kenneth Jasper Cummings
by Patrick A. Antoine
I first met Kenneth 'Jasper' Cummings, when he traveled as the security detail for Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell at the HOG's in Belize many years ago.
Officer Cummings stood out for his whipper snapper sense of humour, his attentiveness and his obvious intelligence and interest in the matters on the Heads of Government Agenda.
Without being 'inappropriate', Cummings expressed an interest in matters on the Heads of Government Agenda, that was not typical for a Security Details. He was analytical. He had a view.
I recall, him making Heads of Government of several Countries break into spontaneous laughter, when in response to no one else being able to make a cell call. Officer Cummings would remark that respectfully Heads must confront 'the sanguineous reality that the more expensive phones were not necessarily better', particularly where his "me 2”, could make a call and our expensive models couldn't even receive a signal.
Officer Cummings “me 2”, became the official phone of the Grenada Delegation and others. But when Cummings, spoke so cogently, and in Davidian terms, it made me realise that such profundity must come from a deeper spiritual place.
I soon came to recognise Officer Cummings' familiarity with the scripture, and he could either quote or point you to relevant text of scripture on Call.
Officer Cummings and I shared a mutual love for our Mothers. If there was one element that cemented our relationship as Comrades from the start, it was this: Love for our Mothers.
He confided in me about his own mother and their relationship.
He loved his family.
I would encounter Officer Cummings, over the following years in passing, always jovial with a respectable acknowledgement of each other.
But in 2020, through young Basil Williams and TGM, my interaction with Officer Cummins became close.
I spoke frequently, with Officer Cummings. Every single conversation was positive, about some idea he had for Grenada's development. He was teeming with ideas and energy and enthusiasm.
He was indefatigable, in his belief that we could do better as a country and as a people.
He was the greatest advocate for the things TGM held to and, the greatest defender of these causes.
At difficult times he would quote scripture and in his evangelical manner ask, "Is there not a Cause and Good One?!!”.
Even, while disclosing those he felt had been unfair and unkind to him; Cummings, did not reveal anger, bitterness or spite. He never voiced, nor sought revenge.
He was a kind man. A loving man. He searched hard to find the best in the human spirit.
It was not possible to be upset with Officer Cummings. He had a way, with words and an attitude that required that you very quickly set things aside, forgive, laugh, and move on.
Cummings was a loyalist. Like me, he felt that there was a confidence owed to those who we had served. This is a rare quality in our Grenada Today.
Cummings had it!!
In the months leading up to Officer Cummings being called home. He would contact me virtually every morning, with a call or a text.
"Manners and Respect", he would start.
The night before he transitioned, Officer Cummings would call me with a small group of enthusiastic comrades...we spoke on video call until minutes to 11.00 that night.
Officer Cummings was on his usual 'natural high'. “Link you tomorrow”, he would end...
Tomorrow didn't start with the usual call.
“Strange”, I thought, ..and the rest takes us to today.
Death Of A Comrade
Martin Carter
Poems of Resistance, 1954.
Death must not find us thinking that we die.
Too soon, too soon
our banner draped for you.
I would prefer
the banner in the wind
not bound so tightly in a scarlet fold –
not sodden sodden
with your people’s tears
but flashing on the pole
we bear aloft
down and beyond this dark dark lane of rags.
Dear Comrade
if it must be
you speak no more with me
nor smile no more with me
then let me take
a patience and a calm –
for even now the greener leaf explodes
sun brightens stone
and all the river burns.
Now from the mourning vanguard moving on
dear Comrade, I salute you and I say,
Death will not find us thinking that we die.
On behalf of the leadership and members of The Grenada Movement, I extend condolences to the children, family, and friends of Officer Kenneth “Jasper” Cummings. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with you, as together we mourn our fallen brother, father, and friend.
