Marines of the ill-fated HMBS Flamingo were for the first time remembered with a gun salute in military form and a wreath laying ceremony that included an array of dignitaries at Coral Harbour Base Thursday morning. Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling, the Governor General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas brought remarks. (photo gallery below)
Family members and friends of the four marines killed in action, along with survivors attended the solemn ceremony, which featured a duet by Defence Force Recruits.
Also attending the annual event were the Prime Minister, Dr. the Honorable Hubert Minnis, Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Peter Turnquest, the Minister of National Security, the Honorable Marvin Dames, the Honourable Darren Henfield (a retired naval officer and member of the Defence Force), other Cabinet Ministers, and the Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Philip Davis.
The Governor General recalled that on the day of the tragedy, she and her husband, the late former Prime Minister, Sir Lynden Pindling, were on official business in London when they received the sad news. The Governor General encouraged members of the force to remain steadfast in their duties, as they serve their country.
The US Chargé d’Affaires, Ms. Stephanie Bowers, and the Commanding Officer of the Rhode Island National Guard, Major General Christopher Callahan, also participated in the wreath laying ceremony at the monument, along with local Heads of Law Enforcement Agencies: the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Anthony Ferguson; Comptroller of Customs, Dr. Geanine Moss; the Director of Immigration, Mr. Clarence Russell; and the Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, Mr. Patrick Wright.
The ceremony concluded with a wreath being laid at the water’s edge by the Governor General.
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