BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 24TH 2006 - The decision of the Denzil Douglas Labour Party Administration to make the home of First Premier and First National Hero, the Right Excellent Sir Robert L. Bradshaw into a national museum has come in for high praise from the Federation's lone independent daily Sun St. Kitts/Nevis.
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"So that when Prime Minister Denzil Douglas, in his Independence Day Message revealed that his government would honour former prime minister Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw " this country's first "National Hero" with a year long programme of activities, it was the culmination of the thoughts and feelings of many in our population.
We congratulate Prime Minister Douglas for choosing the celebration of our Independence from Britain to make such an important announcement. To crown it all the prime minister also revealed that he was going to make Sir Robert's home at Fortlands into a national museum," said the paper's Sun Strokes editorial.
The paper in the editorial headlined "Honouring Sir Robert" said what was even more striking was the timing of the announcement.
"It could not have been better. September 16 marks the observance of National Heroes Day and it is also the birthday of the late Sir Robert. Also, on this day eight years ago, the country's international airport was formally renamed The Robert L Bradshaw International Airport. Another important milestone is that on that same day he was named the country's first National Hero," noted Sun St. Kitts/Nevis.
The paper stated: "For all these reasons, Prime Minister Douglas has obviously completed a coup d'etat of sorts, or as Caribbean calypsonian might have put it "sing one for Sir Robert."
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| Bradshaw's home |
Sun St. Kitts/Nevis noted it is impossible for to detail, in this space, all the accomplishments of Robert Bradshaw, "who did so much for our small twin-island state during his lifetime, first as an aggressive union leader and later the vital role he played in the nation's politics."
"We all know that one of the saddest days in the life of this small country was the day Sir Robert passed away, a victim of killer disease - prostate cancer. Sad, mostly, because this terrible disease took him away before he realised his greatest dream, at least of his political life " gaining our independence from Great Britain in 1983," said the editorial.
It continued: But that our present prime minister could bring all these accomplishments, place them into one package and give them to the people, is worthy of high praise. And so we do congratulate Denzil Douglas on his flawless timing and perfect execution."
Sun St. Kitts/Nevis is of the view that the "rewards to the citizens, as well as visitors, are enormous and the planned transformation of Bradshaw's home, in which will reside his papers, his collection of art and artefacts, will redound to the benefit of all, moreso the young people, some of who might not be even aware of this past leader, who came from humble beginnings to lead his people and his country to greatness."
"We just hope that every effort will be made to make this planned year of activities, a living and true memorial, giving every activity its just due and ensuring that the reasons for each are well enunciated and that participation will be across the
~~Adz:Left~~board. The greatest lesson that can be learned from these planned activities is that the young people of the nation become the main beneficiaries " a historical reminder of one of this country's greatest personalities. We cannot rewrite history, but Sir Robert had impacted magnanimously on this country's growth and development. This must not be forgotten," the Sun St. Kitts/Nevis editorial concluded.
