It was a moderate to hot Anguilla Day at the James Ronald Webster Park on Wednesday, May 30, and there was a mood of pomp, ceremony and patriotism, recalling the 1967 Anguilla Revolution and the leaders, freedom fighters and foot soldiers who made it possible.
In the words of Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, who chaired the event, it was “a national day of celebration and we certainly have a lot to celebrate”. But even as she said that, she noted: “Little did we know as we celebrated our Golden Jubilee last year that, just a few months later, we would go through what must be one of our greatest trials. We have literally been through the storm – the worst storm in our history – and we have come out on the other side devastated, but not defeated.”
She continued: “If our forebears could have seen how we worked together to help Anguilla recover, in the weeks and months immediately following Hurricane Irma, I believe they would have been proud. They would have been confident that in our darkest moments we understood the deeper meaning of the Revolution – people working in fellowship to fulfil a common purpose, in this case rebuilding a better Anguilla.”
The Permanent Secretary set the stage for similar sentiments expressed by the other speakers: Governor Tim Foy, OBE; Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmavon Webster; and Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks.
During his address, Governor Foy paid tribute to a number of heroes and heroines of Anguilla and other persons who had worked towards the building a better Anguilla. He said in part: “Today, my prayer is that we may all be blessed with the strength to carry on the work which they set out to do; that we can reach the future that we can see… because we are standing on the shoulders of giants who came before us. But seeing and reaching a point to a journey are two very different things. Building a stronger and even more prosperous Anguilla, over the next generation, could be secured with better lives than their parents had in terms of education, healthcare and, above all, jobs. It may not be easy, but it won’t happen in and of itself. None of us should take progress for granted, nor does progress happen by merely wishing for it…In a sense it is merely re-stating what the founding fathers of 1967 and the years that followed recognised.”
The Governor further said: “Making progress inevitably requires change and, more often than not, making some unpopular decisions. Navigating the year ahead, in the best long-term interest of Anguilla, will inevitably entail some difficult discussions, probably some unpopular decisions. We shouldn’t, and I know we won’t, shy away from those discussions or decisions. Whatever we do, and say, we will do so in the best interest of Anguilla.”
The Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmavon Webster, said in part: “The flame of the Anguilla Revolution must burn forever, and it must always be fuelled by desire, determination, hope and, most importantly, unity. It was because of the unity of our people that we triumphed 51 years ago, this month. We must strive for unity if we are to triumph again. My mission, as a political leader, is to rekindle that one Anguilla spirit. I want to foster unity among all our people, and that would lead to a new transformation.
“The Revolution can only survive if we protect our children, improve our schools, create more opportunities for our youth and empower all of our people. We should build an economy not by imposing more taxes on people, but by promoting economic expansion through offering incentives for new investment.”
She added: “The current economic crisis and the lack of growth prospects might have brought many of us to our knees, but the Revolution, of 51 years ago, taught us that we can only move forward on our feet.”
Chief Minister Banks also joined in paying tribute to past and present heroes and heroines of the Revolution, and called for unity in moving Anguilla forward. He observed that no one could advance to the next step before crossing a gap, of one sort or another, and embracing the concept of building bridges in relationships.
He went on: “The theme for this year’s celebration is an appropriate one as we move through two significant situations – firstly the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Irma; and secondly moving into the next half century after the Anguilla Revolution. It is a statement that reaffirms our mantra of being Proud, Strong and Free; highlights our spirit of resilience as demonstrated in our recovery; and speaks to charting the way forward through to another fifty years: ‘Still Strong, Proud and Free, Anguilla at 51, Charting Our Destiny.’”
Mr. Banks added: “It is first and foremost that as a people we may be in danger of holding on to the past fifty years of the Anguilla Revolution without realising that we have got to prepare ourselves for a new dispensation where we will require new tools and new skills for that period. That is why that catchword in the theme: “Charting our Destiny” is so significant. That is the important task ahead of us, at this stage of our history, to build that bridge.”
The Ceremonial Parade marking the 51st Anniversary of the Anguilla Revolution was well attended. The opening prayer was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Kathleen Richardson of the Christian Fellowship Church.
During the ceremony, five persons received the Anguilla Medal of Honour and Queen’s Certificate. They were Mr Bevan Hodge (posthumously) and Mr. Charles Liddie for their role in the Anguilla Revolution; and Ms. Brenda Hodge, Mrs. Patricia Beard and Mrs. Yolande Richardson for their contribution to the island’s social development.
The participating uniformed contingents included the Royal Anguilla Police Force; the Cadets Corps; Her Majesty’s Prison; Anguilla Fire and Rescue Services; Scouts and Guides; Pathfinders, Boys and Girls Brigade.
The performers were the Anguilla Elite Cheering Group; the Anguilla Jubilee Choir and Ms. T’arah Niles.
