#Nassau, May 11, 2019 – Bahamas – The four marines who died during the sinking of HMBS Flamingo by Cuban Military jetfighters on May 10th, 1980 and others who lost their lives since then were remembered during a solemn ceremony Friday, May 10th, 2019.
Among the dignitaries attending the 39th anniversary
memorial service were Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis; the Hon.
Darren Henfield, Minister of Foreign Affairs; the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister
of Education; senior government officials, representatives of the Bahamas
Department of Correctional Services, the departments of Customs and
Immigration, and US Charge d’Affaires, Stephanie Bowers.
Lieutenant
Commander Whitfield Neely the only active serving member of the HMBS Flamingo
ship’s company, along with the other former marines, family of the honorees and members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force
(RBDF) were also among the audience.
The somber ceremony took place at HMBS Coral Harbour and included a
ceremony of colors, a gun salute by Defence Force Color Party and wreath laying
at the monument in Flamingo Memorial Park and at the waterside.
Governor General, Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling described the period
following the sinking of HMBS Flamingo as a time of “national distress” and
“sadness” when The Bahamas was forced to face the realities of self-governance
and the meaning of sovereignty. She said the tragic event “shocked” the country
and was a “vivid” reminder of the nation’s need to be able to defend its
homeland wherever and whenever necessary.
“The terror which resulted was something unexpected within the tranquil
waters of our nation. Thus, as a newly independent nation we experienced one of
the defining moments of our history and in our relationships in the community
of nations. Ordinarily, such an incident would have caused a rift in relations
between two neighbors but early following the incident it was clear that there
was sheer determination to maintain good relations,” said the Governor General.
“Today, The Bahamas and the republic of Cuba continue to work together
with mutual respect in the interest of our common objectives of peace and
security.”
She
remarked that although The Bahamas continues to face challenges to its
sovereignty and security poised by nefarious criminal activities including trafficking
of human beings, fire arms, illicit drugs and poaching, the men and women of
the RBDF have been resolute in their efforts to maintain the safety and
security of the nation.
She
said the ultimate sacrifice of the four marines and the ongoing dangers
encountered by crew and marines today are reminders that members of the RBDF
and other security forces protect the nation by placing their lives in harm’s
way.
“For
this they deserve a grateful nation,” she added.
The
four heroes, recognized as the first to give their lives in service to The
Bahamas as members of the RBDF, were: Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup, Marine
Seaman Austin Smith, Marine Seaman David Tucker, Marine Seaman Edward Williams.
Members
of HMBS Flamingo who were also honored at the service were: Sub Lieutenant
Anthony Allens, Petty Officer Peterson James, Leading Mechanic Denzil Clarke,
Leading Mechanic Gregory Curry, Able Mechanic Eugene Thompson, Able Seaman
Trevor Sands, Able Seaman Cladwell Farrington, Marine Seaman Anthony Russell, Marine
Seaman Willard Saunders and Marine Seaman John Wallace.
Members
of the crew of HMBS Flamingo who have since passed away included: Acting Sub
Lieutenant Wilfred Sands, Chief Petty Officer Oscar Miller, Chief Petty Officer
Leo Kirby, and Senior Commander Amos Rolle, commanding officer of HMBS Flamingo
at the time of the incident.
By Kathryn Campbell
Release: BIS
Photo Caption: The RBDF 39th Anniversary Memorial Service showing Governor General Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling giving remarks and laying wreath, and Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis participating in the ceremony, May 10, 2019.
(BIS Photos/Letisha Henderson)