The BVI Post has launched a set of four commemorative stamps titled Ministerial Government
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| Premier Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE with members of the Creque, Dawson, Lettsome and Wattley families at the official launch of the Ministerial Government Stamp Issue on Thursday, 21 August, 2008. Photo Credit: Mr. Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS |
Roadtown, Tortola- The stamps which range in value from 18 cents to $2 feature the House of Assembly, the Mace at the House and four former legislators, namely the late Henry O. Creque, OBE, Ivan Dawson, CBE, Terrance B. Lettsome and Paul P. Wattley.
Addressing the audience at last Thursday’s launch, Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE said stamps help to tell the history of the nations and it is important to record that history.
“I would hope that one of these days some of our writers might be encouraged to do some writing about the past legislators especially because it was not a source of income for them; it was trying to help the people,” he said.
Acknowledging the struggles and sacrifices of the men featured on the stamps, the Premier noted that the Territory owes them “a debt of gratitude” for their significant contribution to the development of the Virgin Islands (UK).
“I believe one way to repay that debt of gratitude is to keep the islands on the steady path to make sure that there is good
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| Speaker of the House of Assembly, Honourable Roy Harrigan receives enlarged and framed images of the stamps featuring the Mace and the House of Assembly. Also pictured are Postmaster General, Mr. Kevin Smith and Acting Philatelic Bureau Supervisor, Ms. Lorna Choucoutou. Similar presentations were made to members of the Creque, Dawson, Lettsome and Wattley families. Photo Credit: Mr. Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS |
governance, there is respect for law and order, there is respect for people and there is respect for offices, regardless of who hold the offices,” the Premier said.
He added “all those things add up to making the kind of society we would like the BVI to be, what they would have liked to see.”
Postmaster General Mr. Kevin Smith said the stamps embody both the individual contribution of each of the former legislators depicted and the collective accomplishments of the people of the Virgin Islands.
“Captured in each individual pixel of these stamps is a progressive history of the BVI and our evolution. Each pixel represents all those who have given themselves in service to this great country.”
Mr. Smith added that “the issue represents the spirit and character of those who fought for the right for fair and proper governance.” He used the occasion to encourage the people of the Territory to remember and honour their past.
Financial Secretary Mr. Neil Smith, who chaired the ceremony and provided opening remarks, also underscored the importance of recognising our past.
~~Adz:Left~~ He commended the BVI Post for recognising the stalwarts of society and ensuring that “their lives and contributions are now immortalised and etched in history through the launching of this stamp issue.”
The Financial Secretary added “I therefore urge that the Post Office through the Philatelic component make it a duty and do their part to ensure that the history of this Territory remains ever present in the minds of people through its promotion and the type of stamp issues they put out.”
The ceremony also included remarks from Speaker of the House of Assembly Honourable Roy Harrigan, Leader of the Opposition Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith and representatives of the Creque, Dawson, Lettsome and Wattley families.
The stamps included in the Ministerial Government issue are available for postage at all Post Offices in the Territory and collectors can purchase first day covers and sets at the Philatelic Bureau, located within the General Post Office in Road Town.
The BVI Postal Administration functions under the Ministry of Finance, providing mail service to more than 189 countries around the world.
British Virgin Islands News