I returned this week from short visits on business and pleasure to London and New York. I timed my return to be in Grand Turk on Monday 26 May to attend my first National Hero’s Day Ceremony.
I knew something of J.A.G.S. McCartney’s inspirational life from reading history books about Turks and Caicos. But attending the service arranged so splendidly by the National Hero’s and Awards
Committee brought many new dimensions for me to the achievements of the Turks and Islands first Chief Minister.
In speeches by the Acting Premier, the leader of the Opposition and, not least, the Rev John Malcolm the Chief Minister’s inspirational personality was brought to life in a series of moving accounts. Pastor Malcolm’s personal encounters with the National Hero were vividly described, and his comparisons with the life of Che Guevara memorable.
One aspect of J.A.G.S. McCartney’s life which struck me forcefully was the sheer energy and productivity that he brought to everything that he did. In leading a strike of hotel workers – with someone from Britain – in the Bahamas to founding the Junganoo Club to inspire young people to work and play, or negotiating a new Constitution. He packed an extraordinary amount into his tragically short life.
I can’t help but wonder what more he might have achieved for Turks and Caicos had he still been with us. I was delighted and honoured to meet his gracious widow and other members of his family.
I hope that they will be pleased to know, like everyone in Turks and Caicos, that our national flag was flown over the main Foreign Office building in the heart of London, a stone’s throw from Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament, to mark our National Hero this Monday. That building has been the sight of many historic events, including the signing of peace treaties after World War One, and negotiations with India for its independence. I was fortunate to attend meetings there this month at which both The Prince of Wales and US Secretary of State John Kerry spoke.
I’m sure the Turks and Caicos National Hero, J.A.G.S. McCartney, would have relished the fact that his national flag was flying proudly over London this week in his memory.