An inspection was conducted by Prime Minister Douglas of a Guard of Honour comprising members of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defense Force and the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force.
Douglas, who is a relative of Bradshaw, delivered brief remarks at the ceremony where he stated Bradshaw designed and rearranged the socio architecture of the federation.
He said that this year’s celebration is a continuation of the work that had been done by the first National Hero whose measures ensured that the potential of our young can be realized and destitution no longer a part of families.
He added that the forebears put in place the structures of a stable and just society and today the federation has built on these structures.
Douglas suggested that the people owe it to the past heroes to uphold the morals they had put in place to ensure that they remain so.
Wreaths were laid by the Governor General, the Prime Minister, the Commander of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defense Force, Lt. Colonel Patrick Wallace; Commissioner of Police, Mr. C. G. Walwyn, the Ambassadors of the Republic of Cuba, the Republic of China on Taiwan and the Republic of Venezuela; a relative of the Bradshaw Family; the Chairman of the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Timothy Harris and the President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Trades and Labour Union, Mr. Clifford Thomas.
Also at the ceremony, 11 individuals were given community awards for the outstanding contributions they have made in their respective communities and in keeping with this year’s theme for the independence celebrations individuals who have impacted the youth of their respective communities.
Premier Bradshaw died on May 23rd 1978, after laying the foundation for political Independence, which unfortunately he never lived to see. The country eventually fulfilled its promise of nationhood, under the leadership of the First Prime Minister, Dr. Sir Kennedy Simmonds, of the People’s Action Movement, PAM. Many have also called for Simmonds, who is now 76 years, to be declared a National Hero.
Other National Heroes are First Chief Minister, former Deputy Premier and Premier, the Right Excellent Sir Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell and The Right Excellent Sir Joseph National France, who was also born on September 16th 1907.