PRESS INVITE
Memorial Service for HMBS Flamingo Incident
Family members and friends of the four (4) Marines killed in action 36 years ago during the sinking of HMBS Flamingo, will join the Officers and Marines of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for a brief ceremony at the Coral Harbour Base on Tuesday May 10th 2016 at 8:30 a.m.
Bringing remarks at the special Morning Colors Ceremony will be the Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr. Bernard Nottage. HE Dame Pindling, Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, will also be in attendance.
During the ceremony, the family of the fallen Marines and the surviving crewmembers will be escorted to the HMBS Flamingo Memorial Monument, built back in 2009 for the laying of wreaths. The Defence Force ensign will be flown at half-mast throughout the day, in recognition of the four (4) Marines that were lost.
As a reminder, on May 10th 1980, after arresting two (2) Cuban fishing vessels near the Ragged Island Chain, Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup (21), Marine Seaman Austin Rudolph Smith (21), Marine Seaman David Allison Tucker (21) and Marine Seaman Edward Arnold Williams (23) were killed when Cuban MIG jets fired upon and sank HMBS Flamingo. One (1) of the fifteen (15) surviving crew members of HMBS Flamingo, Lieutenant Commander Whitfield Neely is still an active member of the Force. Lieutenant Commander Neely is currently the Commanding Officer of the Squadron Department.
Observers recognize the tragic event as not only a defining moment in the history of the embryonic Defence Force, but also for the relatively newly independent Bahamas. We look forward to seeing members from your establishment represented to enhance coverage of this special event. Members of the media are asked to be seated by 830 am.
(For further information contact the RBDF Public Relations Department)
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“Guard Our Heritage”
