(Eleuthera, Bahamas) “I command you to take this flag throughout the length and breadth of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, signifying our unity as a people and as a family of islands, and to return it to our nation’s capital on July 9th, 2013, where it will be hoisted at midnight. May it fly over a united and independent Bahamas forever.” These were the parting words of Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes as he concluded his remarks during the Official Independence 40-day Countdown Launch Ceremony in Rawson Square on the island of New Providence, during the evening of June 4th, 2013.
Formally raising the national flag, which is traversing the entire Bahamian archipelage before returning to New Providence for the 40th Anniversary Independence celebrations. Community stalwart Lawrence Griffin and CEHS Valedictorian Kristina Knowles assist with the raising and lowering of the national flag.
South and Central Eleuthera received that National Flag, which is traversing the Bahamian archipelago, on Friday, June 14th, 2013, with its first stop made at the airport in Rock Sound where a formal ceremony was observed to mark the first stop in Eleuthera.
Representatives of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) arrived on island by airplane carrying the symbolic 40th anniversary flag, accompanied by Member of Parliament for Central and South Eleuthera and Minister of State for Legal Affairs, Damian Gomez.
Uniformed parade to the grounds of the Administration building in Governor’s Harbour.
Uniformed parade across the waterfront to the Administration building by officers, students, committee and band members.
Following the first ceremony in Rock Sound, the flag went on to Governor’s Harbour, the island’s capital township, where uniformed school students marched in tandem with the RBPF and RBDF representatives in a parade across the waterfront to the Administrative building grounds.
Students and community members look on as the 40th Anniversary national flag is commemorated in Governor’s Harbour.
Administrator for Central Eleuthera, Charles King, welcomed the crowd of students and community residents to the auspicious event, followed by a prayer for the nation by Pastor Henry Whyte with the Central Eleuthera Christian Council, and an explanatory reading by primary aged children of the symbolism of the flag. Ms. Kristina Knowles, 2013 Valedictorian of the Central Eleuthera High School, and community stalwart Mr. Lawrence Griffin, were given the honour of assisting the officers from the RBPF and RBDF in a ceremony of raising and lowering the national flag.
Mr. Griffin in a brief interview after the event commented on his memories 40 years ago of a similar ceremony held in Eleuthera on the eve of Independence, saying, “I can remember when they took the British flag down and I saw that [Bahamian] flag go up! We had a big crowd, and everybody was all excited that we were becoming totally independent, and decision making on our own – that’s what that was all about.”
Local vocal talent, Ms. Malik Fox, sang the national anthem during the flag raising, accompanied by the Central Eleuthera High School band (which provided music throughout the event), and Pastor Orlando Thompson of Global Outreach Ministries on Eleuthera brought remarks about the celebration of 40 years of Independence.
A crowning moment during the pomp and ceremony was when relatives of the renowned author of the national anthem, the late Mr. Timothy Gibson – in the persons of Ms. Jacqueline Gibson, Ministry of Tourism Manager for Central and South Eleuthera; and Mr. John Gibson, Chief Councillor with the Central Eleuthera District Council – unveiled a large poster showcasing the national anthem author, who hailed from Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, mounted on the front left wall of the Administrative building.
The unveiling of a poster showcasing National Anthem composer, Timothy Gibson.
After the lowering of the flag, which was ceremoniously folded and presented to Administrator King and Member of Parliament Damian Gomez the RBPF and RBDF officers took a moment to pose with the crowd of uniformed students who attended the event, before heading back to New Providence with the national flag.
Officers present the national flag to MP Damian Gomez and Central Eleuthera Administrator Charles King.
The countdown continues in Eleuthera on Wednesday, June 19th when officers return to celebrate the nation’s flag in North Eleuthera, Harbour Island and Spanish Wells.
Students pose with officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
