BASSETERRE, St. Kitts — Government officials in St. Kitts and Nevis are encouraging anyone with photographs of any of the five National Heroes to submit them to exhibit in the Welcome Centre at the National Heroes Park.
The centre will feature profiles, photographs and information on the late Right Excellencies Sir Robert L. Bradshaw, Sir C. A. Paul Southwell, Sir Joseph N. France and Sir Simeon Daniel, as well as Dr. the Right Excellent and Right Honourable Sir Kennedy A. Simmonds, the only living National Hero.
Lifelike statues of the foremost nation builders will also be unveiled at the park during a Sept. 17 ceremony.
Osbert DeSuza, Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, has spearheaded construction and development of the park, which began in 2016. DeSuza noted the ambience has been completely transformed since then. He appealed to anyone with photographs of the five prominent nation builders to have them included as part of history.
“If you have any photos of any one of our national heroes that you think is worth exhibiting at the National Heroes Park we invite you to make contact with me,” DeSuza said. “I will come with experts and we will look at them. We will not take the photographs from you. We will take photos of them and have them developed so you will not lose your photos.”
DeSuza can be contacted at Government Headquarters at 467-1030.
DeSuza said the National Heroes Park is designed to elicit a sense of pride and patriotism from nationals, and educate visitors about the enormous contributions made by the five men.
“That should make all of us feel very happy that we can have a place where we can show off the heroes who made contributions to the development and advancement of the lives of the people of this country over the past century,” DeSuza noted.
The government’s intention to highlight the National Heroes’ legacy, particularly to the younger generation,” DeSuza said. “Their accomplishments have been commended by many at home and abroad.”
The park is being prepared for the traditional National Heroes Day ceremony, during which everyone can pay their respects.
The ceremony usually is held on Sept. 16, this year it will occur on Sept. 17. Monday has been declared a public holiday by the Governor General. The ceremony begins at 8 a.m. and is open to the general public.
