Hats off to Papa Bradshaw...
PM Douglas challenges nation’s youth to find their niche
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas lays wreath at The Right Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw's statue
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TO mark the significance of National Heroes’ Day, a Guard of Honour and Wreath Laying Ceremony was held in honour of The Right Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw at the RLB Memorial Community Park, St. Paul’s Village.
Under the distinguished patronage of the Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian, many government officials, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps along with well-wishers and supporters paid homage to the first National Hero and Father of the Nation.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and Parliamentary Representative for the area, Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, in his remarks, explained that the National Honours Act established an Order of National Hero which declared September 16, the birthday of Robert Bradshaw, a public holiday. He also acknowledged the other national heroes, Caleb Azaria Paul Southwell and Joseph Nathaniel France, both deceased.
He challenged the youth to find the hero within themselves and noted that although the National Heroes were born into humble parentage, they transformed their disadvantage into positive energy in order to change the world.
“If we recognise our National Heroes, RL Bradshaw was born into a single-parent family in the most impoverished village in St. Kitts; CA Paul Southwell, a Dominican by birth, came to St. Kitts in humble conditions; JN France, a Nevisian by birth, [was also born into a lowly setting]... we could recognise that all were of humble upbringing.
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Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian lays wreath at the statue of The Right Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw
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“Clearly, nothing was remarkable about his [Bradshaw’s] birth in St. Paul’s. I believe he found a cause and he pursued it; a cause that would change the nation, and he did achieve it.”
PM Douglas observed the biography of RL Bradshaw and drew upon his achievements to remind the youth of what they could also accomplish. He further stated that history offers youth leadership opportunities whether by accident or design and that this year’s Independence has the potential to allow heroes to be born.
“What is your passion for self and country? Will you make history as a descendent of RLB, a fearless and positive change agent? The simple fact that we are celebrating 25 years of Independence is impetus enough for us to want to achieve great things.
“I challenge you to find your niche, fill that niche and accomplish great things,” Dr. Douglas emphasised.
Wreaths were laid by H.E. the Governor General; the Hon. Prime Minister; Commander of the Defence Force Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace; Commissioner of Police Austin Williams; and the Resident Ambassadors of Cuba, the Republic of China on Taiwan and the Republic of Venezuela. Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Dr. Hon. Timothy Harris, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union Clifford Thomas, Leeds St. Kitts-Nevis Association and family member James Francis also paid their respect with wreaths.
