GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Monday, May 25th, 2009 – “Some people tend to think that it is an impossible job bringing all our islands together because of the separation by water and distance; but we must come together - if only for survival. Divided we are weak, united [the] Turks and Caicos could become one of the greatest nations in this hemisphere for the good in the world,” so stated Ms. Yaa McCartney, daughter of the late JAGS McCartney – reading an excerpt from his Unite as a People speech.
Today, Monday, May 25th 2009 is the day that is set aside to celebrate the life and legacy of the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) first Chief Minister and only national hero -the late Hon. James Alexander George Smith McCartney and our unsung heroes. Commemoration ceremonies were held throughout the length and breath of this country; however, the official commemoration took place at the JAGS McCartney Mausoleum on Old Airport Road in the nation’s capital, Grand Turk.
JAGS, remembered for his kindness, tenacity and courage in the face of adversity and, his ability to relate to people from all walks of life; his life and death is marked annually on National Heroes Day, on this, the last Monday in May.
The ceremony, organised in the last five years by the Turks and Caicos Cultural and Arts Commission, not only celebrates the heroes that are known, but those too that are unsung. It is a time where we are to reflect, honour and celebrate these persons; and chart a course for us a people.
The wreath-laying ceremony and unsung heroes awards presentation saw the presence of His Excellency the Governor, Gordon Wetherell; Deputy Governor Mahala Wynns; Premier, Hon Galmo Williams, and Ministers of his esteem cabinet, along with Mrs. Dorothy McCartney, widow of the late Chief Minister.
Ms. Yaa McCartney, JAGS eldest daughter -brought a tribute; therein, she pondered what her father would have said or done had he been around during this time, as we face the possible suspension of our country’s constitution, a constitution in which he fought so hard to achieve. Nevertheless, she, like many, are of the opinion that the preservation of the TCI and its legacy is depended on unity and strength in numbers, and for us as a people to fight hard in working together to move this nation forward.
She harkened back to the men of the Junkanoo Club that risked their lives for TCI, and today, she asks: “What were we doing as a people that we cant get it together... The dream is dormant, it is not dead, let it awaken in all of us.”
“When I consider the definition of a hero, not necessarily the person that is in front of everybody else, but a person who is not afraid to do what others are afraid to do,” said Ms. McCartney, “he wasn’t afraid to step up to the plate as an elected leader, he wasn’t afraid to do what he had to do for not himself, but for his people.”
The Crown Counsel Attorney went on quote from “Unite as a People”, a prose that was delivered by her late father; a speech as relevant today, as it was uttered some thirty years ago. It speaks of Turks and Caicos Islanders being separated by our own individuality, Island-doom, body politic and selfish greed. It talks of a need for us having to work together, loving one another, coming together and be as one, to ensure our survivability and prosperity as a nation and as a people.
“Turks and Caicos islands, if we’re going to move ahead and move forward and take this country to prosperity, we have to unite,” implored Ms McCartney, “we have to have national pride; we cannot talk about self-determination if we have no national pride. So let us stand as a nation, and let us take this country forward.”
In making a clarion call for more responsible citizenry, Mrs. Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, the commemoration’s keynote speaker said: “We can be proud of JAGS as the father of a new TCI, but today he calls from beyond his grave for more soldiers to enlist in the fight and the birth of more sons and daughters. Today, we are not independent and we are perhaps no closer today than we were 10 years ago; but we don’t need to wait for Independence to be proud. We are still a people that can be proud of who we are and what we have.”
“The impending suspension of our country’s Constitution alone causes us to not want to celebrate,” reflected Mrs. Cartwright-Robinson, “But I say to you, the success of this period would not be if we were able to correct flawed systems or fix a troubled economy; the success would be measured in my book by whether we find ourselves or not - whether we believe enough in our country to find ourselves individually and collectively as a people outside of PDM and PNP or TCUP, NDA or UDP.”
“What did JAGS have to be proud of? I am not sure I know the answer; but what I do know is we have way more today to be proud of and to fight for - including his life.”
To those that sat in the gallery, Mrs. Cartwright-Robinson inquires: “Stop, and ask yourself what are you doing for your country? Are you giving your best or are you taking up space? Your contribution may not be national, but it can impact our nation’s development significantly. You ought not to allow your upbringing, your family, people’s negative attitudes to deter you. We learn from JAGS’ life that even physical ailments, birth defects can only be setbacks if we allow them to. We cannot be discouraged by the hugeness of the fight ahead, but must determine within ourselves that the journey of a lifetime begins with one single step.”
Following the remarks, the wreath laying ceremony ensued. When concluded, all persons moved to a presentation at the Lester Williams Park, also on Old Airport Road, to honour TCI’s unsung heroes of the first and second world wars, where the TCI’s last surviving WWII hero, Mr. James “Bobby” Fulford – gave a talk, as to his time in the war.
END
PRESENT AT WREATH-LAY AND PRESENTATION CEREMONY: HE Governor Gordon Wetherell, Deputy Governor, Mahala Wynns; Premier and Minister for Development and District Administration Hon Galmo Williams; Hon. Karen Delancy, Minister of Home Affairs and Human Services; Hon. Wayne Garland, Minster of Tourism and Airport Authority; Hon Gregory Lightbourne, Minister of Natural and Coastal Resources; Hon. Samuel Been, Minister of Housing, Works and Public Safety; Hon. Arthur Robinson, MP for North Backsalina; former Chief Ministers Derek Taylor and Oswald Skippings; Mrs. Dorothy McCartney, widow of JAGS McCartney; Dr. Hubert Fulford, Executive Permanent Secretary, OSPM.
ABOUT JAMES ALEXANDER GEORGE SMITH McCARTNEY
JAGS McCartney was 34 when he lost his life in a plane crash over New Jersey,USA on May 9th, 1980. As leader of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), he was the youngest in office leader in the Caribbean Commonwealth, when elected Chief Minister in 1976. The father of thee and husband to Dorothy McCartney of Grand Turk, his focus was on improving the economic and social conditions of Turks and Caicos Islanders. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Ministerial form of internal self-government in the TCI. He was also responsible for starting the Junkanoo Club, which provided a forum for young people to socialise and discuss issues of importance. The club was the nucleus from which the PDM Party was established in 1975.
UNITE AS A PEOPLE
All this fighting, all this war-brother against sisters, fathers against sons, friends against friends – all in the name of politics, all in the name of a party must stop and must stop NOW.
We must have our own opinions and our own parties, that is our God given right – the right to choose – but I say to you, we must never forget our main goal – to unite our people as one – to ensure that all Turks and Caicos Islanders live a life that is prosperous and happy, one which is meaningful and free.
Let us work together and learn to love one another; because, while we are fighting, the foreigners are busy investing and enjoying our beautiful land. Let us all enjoy this land together – natives, belongers and foreigners.
Some people tend to think that it is an impossible job bringing all our Islands together, because of the separation by water and distance, but we must come together if only for survival. Divided we are weak, united, Turks and Caicos could become one of the greatest nations in this hemisphere for the good in the world.
I, my party and government, are completely devoted to the achievement of political, economic and social advancement of this country, and we will not stop until this is attained. This is indeed not an idle dream, it is not impossible; I see it; I feel it; it is real; indeed I am living in it already.
