The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Let me be the first to say that Bahamian national pride is alive and well today in the Bahamas. The awesome production at Clifford Park on the evening of July 9th, and the early morning of July 10th, certainly proved this.

I did not arrive to the production on time, but I saw a cultural display that was one for the ages.

The dancing by participants to Junkanoo music, the police display with their motor cycles and their short play depicting a clear message that if you do a crime, they will certainly arrest you was spectacular.

Additionally, I was excited to see the Royal Bahamas Defence Force play a more meaningful role in the Independence Parade.

They showed some of their elite Commando Squadron officers in action, some of the physical training exercises that need to be perfected before passing out as a marine and their drill team put on a performance which I thought was drilling at its best.

One of my favourite highlights on Clifford Park was seeing Priscilla Rollins on stage doing her rendition of her popular song, Independence Morning.

This was a first for me to see her live even though I had heard of her for most of my life.

She is still as beautiful as ever. My biggest highlight was seeing Ronnie Butler, arguably the best Bahamian singer and entertainer ever. I mean for this Bahamian legend great to be on stage and singing in a wheelchair and visibly not well has to go down in history as one of the most memorable moments of our Independence celebration history.

On hearing him thank the Bahamian public for their love and support, my wife and I were brought to tears.

Let’s not forget Mr Charles Carter a media genius, historian and cultural giant who introduced Mr Ronnie Butler.

Carter’s contribution to our country certainly deserves honourable mention. The country needs a day just to celebrate him for his contribution to national development.

The local talent of Bahamian artists at the free concert was amazing. I can safely say that Bahamians were fully entertained.

After the music concert was over my family then proceeded to Bay Street to watch the Junkanoo rush out. Junkanoo is so entrenched in our culture now that you can’t have a big event without having the major groups perform.

The Music Makers led the charge with a beautiful banner and as always they produced good music.

I became a little weary after being up since 4:30am the previous morning and headed on Parliament Street to catch a “shut eye”. But the sounds of the Valley Boys woke me up and brought me back on Bay Street. This was truly an epic performance of music and dance and if you were on Bay Street, you could not stand still. I saw supporters of One Family, Roots and the Saxons unable to control their urge to shake, dance and wave their flags when the Valley Boys performed.

I left shortly thereafter and did not get to hear the Saxons, but I like thousands of Bahamians left Bay Street with a deeper sense of national pride and even more prouder to be a Bahamian.

There will never be an event where everyone is satisfied and I am sure there will be criticisms far and wide. But the organisers of the pre-Independence and Independence celebrations certainly need to be commended for a job well done. What I saw at Clifford Park and Bay Street was an awesome display of national pride by a people, who despite its challenges came together as one to show their support for country. Let’s keep this momentum so that we can propel ourselves to keep pressing onwards and marching together to a common loftier goal.


DEHAVILLAND MOSS

Nassau,

July 10, 2013.