TEN HEROES leapt from the pages of history into the hearts of Barbadians on the night of April 28, 1998.
It took Barbados 210 minutes and a cast of 230 people to give nine men and one woman – Sir Grantley Adams, Errol Barrow, Bussa, Sarah-Ann Gill, Charles Duncan O’Neal, Clement Payne, Samuel Jackman Prescod, Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Hugh Springer and Sir Frank Walcott – tributes they had earned centuries and decades ago.
After a fortnight of anticipation, the skies were illuminated with dazzling fireworks and laser lights in a watershed event that touched the country across social, racial and political lines.
Thousands of citizens joined state officials, clergy and artistes outside Government Headquarters – on barricaded Bay Street – to witness the inaugural National Heroes Day which unfolded in speech, song and dance.
It was an evening of thanksgiving and celebration for all ten lives, and especially poignant in respect of two of them: Sir Grantley and Sir Garry.
The day was also the centenary of the former’s birth, and a bronze, life-size statue of the island’s first Premier and only Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation was unveiled by Governor General Sir Clifford Husbands. The monument had been shrouded in the Federation Flag until the moment of revelation which met with tumultuous applause.
Uncannily, the heavens cried as citation orator, Professor Henry Fraser, told of the man called “Moses” and how he led his people from social slavery. The rains lasted just the duration of Sir Grantley’s tribute.
Another defining moment was the emotional and unrestrained reception accorded “the greatest cricketer the world has ever seen”. When Sir Garry stepped majestically on to the platform at 7:18 p.m., not a soul was sitting. Bowing his greying head, the 61-year-old humbly accepted the National Heroes insignia from Sir Clifford who draped the honour around his neck.
Then, as if to share the glory with his people, he turned to the masses, waved and gave that familiar, open-toothed smile. Here was a living legend, savouring his just rewards in his homeland, just 400 yards from his place of birth.
Almost forgotten, but equally notable, was the fact that the ceremony’s location was once the boyhood school of Clement Payne, another of the revered heroes.
Prime Minister Owen Arthur in his address stressed the importance of national heroes, not just as a reminder of the past, but as impetus for the future. “This day is not about the past; it is about the future. It is for you.”
Responding to critics who alleged the ten were chosen from one group, Arthur said the choice of national heroes must be forever based on merit, not compromise, prejudice nor discrimination. “[They] should reflect on the blend of races, not their separation, that informs the origins and complexion of our heroes.”
Apart from Sir Garry, other insignia were presented to relatives or organisational representatives of the honourees. (BW)
