By: Precious Mills
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday, 19th September 2024)-On the occasion of the 41st Independence Anniversary celebration, this media house went about gathering the views of citizens and residents following the annual ceremonial parade held on Thursday 19th September 2024 at Warner Park in Basseterre.
Participants were asked to share their thoughts, whether in the form of a message to the nation or patriotic pride expressing, reflecting on the significance of Independence Day and what it means to them.
Here is what they had to say.
Marilyn Gonzalez Claxton (Originally from Colombia)
Hello everybody, my name is Marilyn Gonzalez Claxton. I have lived here in St. Kitts since 2010 and the reason that I live here is because the first time I visited the island, I fell in love with it. I was thinking ‘Oh God these people are so lucky, they live like in a movie like in a nice car romantic car’…so I said to myself I will come back. I do love the country. I made it back to live. I’m married here. I’m so happy I’m working in this country. I am contributing to the nation as I am teaching the nation’s children and I do love to do that and I thank the country for the great opportunity that they have been giving to me to be part of the community. Love you St.Kitts and Nevis.
(Right to Left) Corinne Small, Leonora Gumbs and Alexandra Gumbs (Leonora’s granddaughter)
Corinne Small-For us here in St. Kitts, it’s a great milestone that we have achieved at 41 years, but there is so much more yet for us to unfold and uncover, especially in terms of the legacy that we pass on to the generation. I think that the patriotism and the civic-mindedness of our people at this point in time, needs to pass through the generations and that is missing. How can we correct it? By being more committed, by being more loving and considerate of the historic value of the place we call our own -St. Kitts and Nevis. So once we do that, we think that the generations will come. The history is what is important and I don’t think that enough of it is being taught or enough of it is being portrayed so that our children and the generations to come will live on and make St Kitts–Nevis what it ought to be with patriotism but I do love St Kitts and I want to see it go forward and happy anniversary to all people St Kitts and Nevis.
Leonora Gumbs-I was away… I lived in England for 40 odd years and I’ve come back and retired in St. Kitts. I love St. Kitts. What I don’t like is the division. Independence is for all. It doesn’t matter what political party you support. Independence is all. And I think the opposition leaders should all come and join in. That’s what I think.
Taisha
I just want to say happy 41 years of independence to my sweet, sweet Sugar City St. Kitts and nice Nevis! Together, a people proud and strong. Independence 41. Happy Independence!
Nicholas Rose- with his twin daughters Sweet Rose (right) and Loveunique Rose
Independence is the time to reflect on being independent and celebrate with your friends and families and having a time for yourself to unwind on a busy week at work or at school for the kids.But my message to St.Kitts and Nevis is basically, it’s time to unite, time to come together and show love. As you can see, we’re lacking that a lot right now because of the violence and the amount of stuff going on in the country. But basically, we need to start, for us as parents, to discipline our kids in the right way, and bring them up in the right way. I think we lost our moral values a lot right now, and we need to get it back in some way by disciplining our kids in a better way.
Ophelia Daniel Samuel
Hi everyone my name is Ophelia. I just want to say happy independence to St. Kitts – Nevis. It’s a wonderful feeling when we can come together and celebrate our independence. God has been good to us. The sun is shining bright, and He has brought us through another independence celebration. It’s a wonderful feeling for St. Kitts and Nevis. I like to celebrate. I’m very patriotic. Whenever there is anything to celebrate, I am in it.