But Crawford's family isn't the only one mourning. Major Eric Neal, a loyal BDF soldier and dedicated husband and father passed away last night after suffering breathing difficulties. His family believes that it was asthma that took his life, not COVID, since his two rapid tests were negative. But what they know for sure is that this outspoken soldier with a vibrant personality has taken his last breath.
His death has resonated with those in high positions, and everyday Belizeans.
His father today reflected on his son's achievements, and his BDF brother spoke about the years of dedicated service. We also dug up some of his past interviews from our archives. Courtney Menzies put it all together, and she has this story.
"Sorry I can't speak because I am struggling to breathe. Please be patient." That was Major Eric Neal's last post on Facebook yesterday - updating his friends and family about his condition.
The 41-year-old BDF soldier had been admitted into the San Ignacio Hospital two days ago after he experienced breathing difficulties. Two rapid COVID tests indicated that he was negative, and the results of the PCR are not in yet. But Major Neal suffered from asthma, and his family believes it is that condition that led to his death.
Eric Neal Sr., Father of Deceased
"They try to help him there but the machine wasn't good enough so they brought him to Belmopan and from Belmopan the doctor told me, my oldest doctor was the connection, he has to get to KHMH to get on the machine there, the machine in Belmopan is not strong enough. I'm only narrating what I'm told and so I wait for their information and the doctor I forgot his name said that unless he gets to KHMH, and get on the machine there, he's sorry but he doesn't think he'll make it."
And unfortunately, he didn't make it. And his loss has had a rippling affect on his BDF family and the wider public who knew him so well.
From justices, to lawyers, politicians, to everyday residents, Major Neal had a major impact in their lives. And for an elderly father, his only son made him proud.
Neal Sr., Father of Deceased
"I don't want people to say I'm bigging up my son but as I was made to understand, he got along well by people, he had no problem, he was liked by people. With me, he did well, he went through school graduated from St John's high school and junior college and he taught I think for a couple years at the Ladyville school right there by the BDF area, the school there, and somehow he joined the BDF but I can't recall when but I told him to stick to it and then he went to study in the West Indies, somewhere in Guyana, and he came back and he worked his way up."
And through his 17 years and 7 months of service, Major Neal made his name known as a loyal and dedicated officer of the BDF.
Lt. Col. Anthony Velasquez, Chief Of Staff, Price Barracks
"Major Neal's service was one of- he served the soldiers so he is a highly dedicated officers, he has a Masters Degree in strategic studies and he also has a diploma in international security and combatting terrorism. He's a very dedicated man, we spoke a few weeks ago, a few months ago and he was planning to pursue a PhD as well, so he had drive, well rounded, he's outspoken and he advocated for the rights of soldiers so he was very driven to get results in terms of the moral of the soldiers."
"He actually made things happen, made things happen, for the soldiers of the BDF."
Major Neal was never afraid to speak up for what he believed in, even if that meant going against the leadership of the BDF. In an interview he gave us last year, he spoke about his own vision for Belize's military.
posted (June 9, 2020)
Major Eric Neal, Deceased
"The force is young and I must apologize for the way I'll say it, the leadership is kinda old and there's a disconnect between young and old and there's a disconnect between young and old and we need leadership that can connect, that can harness the skills of younger membership and use that for the overall success of the Belize Defence Force and by extension, the nation."
But Major Neal once told our cameras that he has always been acutely aware of how the world works and the obstacles he would have to face.
Major Eric Neal, Deceased
"From a young age, I realized that my complexion and my features would have been a problem for the people I interacted with outside of my immediately family because my mother and brothers and sisters accepted me for who I am, but of course outside my mother would give me stories of when she took me to the clinics, people would run as if they saw Godzilla coming."
Still, he rose through the ranks and eventually served as the aide-de-camp of the former Governor General, Sir Colville Young before moving to Cayo.
Lt. Col. Anthony Velasquez, Chief Of Staff, Price Barracks
"Major Neal, he was man of all seasons and any posting that he got in the BDF he always performed well. And I worked with Major Neal several times and he was just a great officer."
"He was the former aide de camp to Sir Colville and then after that posting he became a combat commander and everything he did in the BDF he did excellently and well."
"Major Neal is one of the best officers I worked here in the BDF with and his loss will be deeply felt. He lived by a code of ethic and a moral code and he was willing to stand up for anything that he believed was unjust."
Major Neal often spoke out against problems in the BDF, and in an interview he even spoke about the harmful sexual behavior and toxic masculinity in the force. He also encouraged his other officers to speak up.
posted (June 9, 2020)
Major Eric Neal, Deceased
"We have been a part of the status quo for way too long and we fear that if we speak up we will be branded as a vice of resentment instead of a voice of reason. And for far too long I've seen many of us kinda embrace the emperor's new clothes mentality. We are afraid to tell our leader, sir, with all due respect, you're wrong."
And his final words for his loved ones in one of his last posts read: "if I am not able to return to my normal self please know that I am grateful for everyone and everything you have given me. To my family and friends, I love you endlessly."
Neal lived with his wife and a daughter at Price Barracks.
No funeral date has been announced.
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