Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley praised the Virgin Islands’ strides in the diplomatic world as he marked this year’s Heroes and Foreparents Day.
Though the government didn’t hold an official celebration for the public holiday, the premier released a speech for the occasion naming Financial Services and Economic Development Junior Minister Lorna Smith among the honourees to be recognised during the territory’s first Diplomatic Week.
In the speech, Mr. Wheatley praised Ms. Smith’s skills in representing the financial services industry abroad.
Calling her “one of our pioneers in international relations and diplomacy,” he said that she had played key roles in creating the territory’s offices in London and Hong Kong.
The Diplomatic Week activities commenced Tuesday evening with an opening ceremony at Scrub Island Resort, where Ms. Smith received the “Pioneer Award” and ten others were honoured as well.
Relations between the two politicians have not always been so cordial.
Last October, Mr. Wheatley abruptly fired Ms. Smith as deputy premier in the run-up to a potential no-confidence vote in the House of Assembly.
But he welcomed her back to government in her more junior role in March.
‘Sacred moment’
Marking this week’s public holiday, the premier also said the occasion was a “sacred moment of remembrance and gratitude to honour those who had struggled to move the territory forward.”
The premier referenced some of the 10 official national heroes named in 2023 — such as Noel Lloyd, H. Lavity Stoutt, Isaac Fonseca, Theodolph Faulkner and Shelly Martin — saying that their courage “ignited a spirit of self-determination that still burns in our hearts today.”
“As we honour the legacy of those who came before us, let us also recognise the torchbearers of today and tomorrow,” he said.
The premier added that the observance was an opportunity to be proud about what the territory has achieved.
“It is a day to reflect on the sacrifices and struggles of those who paved the way for the freedoms, opportunities and progress we now enjoy,” he said.
The VI, he added, has many reasons to be thankful to its heroes. “They endured hardship and uncertainty, yet they stood firm in faith, in love of country and in the belief that a brighter future was possible for generations to come,” he said.
Diplomatic Week
Besides Ms. Smith, 10 other people were honoured for their contributions to diplomacy during the Tuesday ceremony at Scrub Island Resort: Sandra Besson, Tracy Bradshaw, Najan Christopher, Dwynel Davies, Elise Donovan, Kedrick Malone, Sylvia Moses, Sherri Ortiz, Dawn Smith, Hadassah Ward Fraser and Ricardo Wheatley.
