The United States Embassy celebrated that country’s 236th independence in grand style Tuesday night as the media and specially invited guests boarded US Naval ship, the USS Anzio, at the Prince George Wharf.
Among the guests were Deputy Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and his wife; Deputy Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, government ministers, Opposition Leader Dr. Hubert Minnis and Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes, who reminded those in attendance of the smooth relationship The Bahamas and the United States have enjoyed for so long.
“While the United States celebrates 236 years of independence, we are only celebrating our 39th year as a small, but proud, independent and democratic state,” Sir Arthur said. “We have always been a good neighbour to the United States, not just since our own independence, but throughout the colonial era.
“The United States has been a good neighbour to us.”
The governor general said both countries have always shared the same aspirations for the perfection of democracies and the peace, security, freedom and prosperity of the respective countrymen.
Also bringing brief remarks was US Chargé d’Affaires John Dinkelman, who said were it not for the vision of America’s founding fathers, the 4th of July would simply be another day on the calendar and the declaration of independence a mere piece of parchment.
“The sacrifices of America’s founding fathers have allowed America to accomplish things that were once considered unthinkable,” he said.
“While we mark monumental achievements like conquering diseases and putting a man on the moon, the true success that is America is the successful establishment of a system through which the average person may reap the rewards of their own hard work and enjoy the right to, ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’.”
More than 200 invited guests attended the brief ceremony, which concluded with an official cake cutting, the presentation of intertwined US and Bahamian flags to the governor general and a fireworks display over Nassau Harbour.
