Lesmore Smith: Fitting & fair to honour Ritter
The Association’s President felt it was a matter of respect and appreciation and a manner of saying that someone has done well when something is named after that person. Smith was at the time referring to Mr Axel Ritter, who recently passed away on August 13, 2012.
The grandstands itself, he felt were more than appropriate to add further respect to Ritter’s name and memory, despite the fact that the track has been named after Ellis Thomas.
He expressed that it was even more justified for Ritter to be named especially since he devoted much energy to the development of the sport and organization without being paid for it.
When Mr Ritter was alive he noted, races were mentioned in his honour. Therefore he said, “now that he’s gone we find it fitting and fair” to have these not just mentioned but named in his honour also.
Smith also recommended that a photo of him be erected as a symbol of his contribution to this country, the community and the sport that he has helped to develop. These should be done by whatever means or methods are available to honour his memory in an appropriate way.
Controversy regarding Ritter’s honour
Regarding the issues raised by some about whether he should indeed be honoured, the Horse Owner’s Association President said “in this country there has always been controversy, it’s how people appreciate what you are trying to do and why you are trying to do it.” This he conveyed, was common to many countries around the world and can also be treated as a form of publicity for the person being honoured.
“In every state, there is always gonna be somebody for it and somebody against it,” he declared.
It was simply a matter of individual belief he felt, adding “you can’t always worry about the masses.” He used a biblical reference as an example, saying that as Jesus was led to the cross, they all cried crucify him! Yet, when asked what he did wrong, their response was nothing. At the end of the day he concluded, there’s always going to be a crowd that says it shouldn’t be without a justification for their answer.
Smith added, “If the last thing we can do is honour him for the rest of our lives, then let us show that appreciation knowing that he was well deserved of it.”
“No one is taking away the downs from Mr Ellis Thomas,” he said “but allow [Ritter’s] family and the rest of the community to feel the same love, appreciation and affection for what is left.”
Former Legislator and horse racing fan Eileene L. Parsons recently called into a local weekly sports talk radio show, ‘Sports Talk’ and called for the grandstands at Ellis Thomas Downs to be named in honour of the horse racing hero, the late Axel Ritter who was buried on Saturday, August 25, 2012. The former legislator said, we need to honour Mr. Ritter’s memory and his contribution to the racing industry. “he also was very instrumental in trying to organize races in the early days of the racetrack as well as owning many race horses of his own,” Ms. Parsons told the radio sports show.
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20 Responses to “Lesmore Smith: Fitting & fair to honour Ritter”
And no, I'm not done. We can then name the Runway, get this too: " Kedric Pickering Runway". What about this?