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On National Heroes Day last year, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris announced that, “Your Government will be designating an area to erect plaques and eventually busts of all of our National Heroes.”

Dr. Harris added: “The concept of a National Heroes Park represents a new ethos, a fresh thinking in our treatment of not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but of all our National Heroes. This location will become the sacred and special site to which locals and tourists will come.  A country and its people require its Heroes not only to provide the exemplars for the society but as a constant reminder of the values, virtues, the quality of work and vision that made our Nation great.  It is right that we honour our Heroes who have contributed so meaningfully to our national development.  We invite your suggestions and ideas as to how we can achieve this worthy goal of honouring our Heroes.”

During the wreath-laying ceremony at the Robert L. Bradshaw Memorial Park on National Heroes Day last year, the Prime Minister also said, “I wish to inform my fellow citizens and residents that your Government has taken certain decisions to enhance and enrich our heritage.   One of these decisions relates to the former home of our first National Hero.  It is intended that this historic property be placed under the aegis of the Saint Christopher National Trust.  The Government had earlier entered into a lease rental agreement with the Trustees of his daughter’s estate.”  Prime Minister Harris added that a museum would be erected to “commemorate the life and work of our first National Hero.”

The title of National Hero was bestowed posthumously on the Rt. Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw in 1996.  In September 2004, the Order of National Hero was again posthumously awarded to the Rt. Excellent Sir Joseph Nathaniel France (1907-1997), former trade unionist and Social Services Minister, and the Rt. Excellent Sir Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell, former Chief Minister and Premier (1913-1979).  In 2013, on National Heroes Day, the Order of National Hero was once more posthumously awarded to Nevis’ first Premier, the Rt. Excellent Sir Simeon Daniel (1934-2012).

At a special Investiture Ceremony that His Excellency the Governor-General Sir S.W. Tapley Seaton GCMG, CVO, QC, JP held at Government House on Tuesday, June 28^th, 2016, the Governor-General formally conferred the nation’s highest award, the Order of National Hero, on Dr. the Rt. Excellent and the Rt. Honourable Sir Kennedy Simmonds, our first Prime Minister and only living National Hero.  The Order of National Hero was awarded to Sir Kennedy on National Heroes Day (September 16^th) in 2015.

It is unfortunate that the Denzil Douglas party should rally against the Unity administration’s efforts to both honour all of our Heroes and create a home for all who have joined the pantheon of National Heroes. Throughout its 20 years, the Denzil Douglas administration failed in its duty to our National Heroes.  The country is better for Unity’s vision.