March 4, 2015
“EACH ONE TEACH ONE REACH ONE AND LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND”
Based on a recent article in the Anguillian Newspaper; I am writing this article to share my thoughts, and to publicly thank Manager Director Regina Lebaga of the Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Martin/St. Maarten, Capt. Maurice Connor (a renowned Anguilla pilot (one of the three original pilots 1968) an astute entrepreneur from back in the day, owner manager of several companies including Easy Corner Villas in South Hill, Anguilla), Capt. David Lloyd, (CEO Lloyd’s Aviation Services) at the Capt. Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport in Anguilla; and all those others who are similarly situated, for negotiating and finalizing the wonderful much needed gift for ($1.00), of an additional fire truck for our airport to ensure its safety .
Has anyone ever given thought to the business acumen, technical expertise as well as managerial skills that it takes, for one of our very own homegrown born Anguillans to be responsible for the daily smooth operation of the aviation services at our airport? Those huge jets that come into Anguilla at any given time, are a force to be reckoned with. We should be proud and stick our chest out, because up and down the region it is a rare accomplishment with homegrown pride. Moreover, Anguilla on record, also has bragging rights for having the largest number of homegrown (commercial pilots, private and military pilots) within the Caribbean region during a fifty (50) year period).
After reading “Set the Record Straight”, Managing Director Regina Lebaga, struck a chord of a pride in my familial heritage. For instance, she stated that St.Martin/St. Maarten has a shared a long-term intergenerational “historical, socio-cultural and familial bonds of kinship” with the island of Anguilla. I commend her for her kindness and for demonstrating, the kind of caring that we ought to continue to emulate among each other, as island neighbors with a similar shared history. I salute Managing Director Lebaga for the kind deed that she has done to ensure the safety of our airport on the island of Anguilla.
I will say this with some reservation, instead of some of those who have jumped on the bandwagon (fine by me if you only knew the propaganda), of using the superficial commercialized supposedly romantic “Valentine’s Day; that is such a big deal in Anguilla nowadays based on cultural diffusion, it is even being used to teach our children “love”? We should take a look back in time, and continue to use rituals from our own proud cultural heritage, to open our hearts and share love like we did before, the popularity of a questionable superficial one day love fest took its root on our shores. Our tradition of jollification is deep love personified, love of self, love of family and loved ones, love of friends, love of our neighbors, love of community, love of sharing collective work and responsibility in caring and giving for the good of our community and our island.
Based on the comments in the article “Set the Record Straight”, It is disheartening to even imagine, if and when it came time to give credit where it is due vis-a-vis recognizing those who were instrumental in securing the gift of the fire truck; somehow amnesia took place. Is this a pattern and practice in Anguilla or what? I can testify and bear witness and attest to this, but I will not. Inasmuch as Anguilla is finally part of the global community, we must take extreme pride in going to great lengths to acknowledge and show equal and mutual appreciation for born Anguillans, who rose to the occasion to make Anguilla better. We must learn to take the high road, put aside our differences of personal muted petty feelings, and learn to give credit whenever and wherever it is due.
Capt. Maurice Connor or Capt. David Lloyd, certainly do not need any publicity, nor are they seeking it, nor do they need anyone to validate them. Yet, according to the comments in “Set the Record Straight”, it seems that they were left out of the honorable mention for having initiated, negotiated and finalized the donation of the fire truck from St.Martin/St. Maarten to Anguilla.
These born Anguillans from a different generation, are the finest in terms of carrying the on the proud Anguillan tradition of entrepreneurship that is rooted in both of their family legacy, as well as in the legacy of many other Anguillan families from back in the day. Not only are these men among the outstanding pilots of Anguilla, (who are the most in number within the Caribbean region); they have demonstrated by their words and deeds, that they are committed to the upliftment and betterment of our island of Anguilla. Based on their strength, courage and endurance, we now have two much needed fire trucks, to ensure the safety of our airport; that is re-named in honour of our very own homegrown first aviation pioneer the late Capt. Clayton J. Lloyd.
May God bless them….. may the ancestors continue to give them strength, courage and endurance and hold them in their favor.
Name held upon request
P.S David Lloyd’s family is also owner of the very first accommodation in Anguilla “Lloyd’s Bed and Breakfast” in Crocus Hill (thus all others are standing on its shoulders), and the very upscale Da Vida on the beach in Crocus Bay” located in the Valley, Anguilla.
