In consonance with the tradition of this paper to reflect on the most memorable events at the end of each year, we would like to retrospect the two most memorable events during the year 2008.

Undoubtedly, many would agree with this paper that the most memorable events of the year 2008 were the massacre of over 14 persons on a farm said to be owned by former rebel spokesman, Charles Bennie in Margibi/Grand Bassa Counties, and the historic visit of United States President George W. Bush to Liberia in February.

Though many other things occurred in the country, but the most memorable events of all are the two historic events during the year in review.

On June 11, 2008, it was reported by authorities of the Liberia National Police that the bodies of some 14 persons were discovered from the Farmington River in connection with an attack on a group of 30 men who had gone to brush a farm said to belong to Mr. Charles Bennie.

The group of men were attacked by some men in the area said to be acting under the order of Margibi County Senator, Roland Kaine who is presently behind bar in connection with the Margibi massacre. The men were brutally murdered in the attack leaving few survivors.

It was also reported that the discovered bodies' feet and hands were tied while some of the bodies' eyes were plucked out and sticks plucked into their mouths. Since the incident, 14 persons including Sen. Kaine have so far been arrested in connection with the alleged killing.

The murder of over 14 persons will continue to remain on the minds of Liberians especially families of the deceased in the manner in which they were killed in the area. The situation led to a peaceful demonstration by family members who converged at the JFK to identify the remains of their families.

Sen. Kaine and the 14 others are presently in court and are being detained at the Monrovia Central Prison undergoing court trial. This situation is no doubt one of the memorable events during the year under review.

Another historic event that occurred during the year under review is the visit of US President, George Bush to Liberia in late February of this year. We say historic because President Bush is believed to be the most powerful leader in the world and his visit signifies that Liberia, a country that is just emerging from a devastating civil unrest is back among the comity of nations in terms of peace and tranquility.

The visit of President Bush, his wife and entourage to Liberia was a part of his five-nation tour of Africa. While in Liberia, the US President and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf held bilateral talks which culminated into a request by Pres. Bush to the US Congress seeking for increase in budgetary support to Liberia.

Bush also pledged 1million text books and chairs to Liberia intended to meet the educational needs of Liberian children. His one-day visit was climaxed by an investiture at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where he received the nation's highest honor from the Liberian government.

During the year in review, there were other major things that occurred. See below for the list of some of those things that occurred:

1. The mysterious death of little Angel Togba who was found hanging in the bathroom of Mr. Hans Williams and girlfriend. As a result of her death, her body was exhumed on two occasions for an autopsy

2. The Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium disaster that claimed the lives of some 10 persons who had gone to the SKD to watch a football match between Liberia and Gambia, and the acquittal of treason suspects, Charles Julu and Andrew Dorbor.