by Eulana Weekes
St Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Candidates of the St Kitts- Nevis Labour Party gathered together on Sunday, May 1 to pay respect and homage to some of the stalwarts of the Labour Movement; in commemoration of Labour Day celebrated annually on the first Monday in May.
The delegation which included family of the fallen comrades, as well as Union Representatives, began the ceremony in St Pauls where the body of Charles E Mills was laid to rest. Candidate for Constituency Number 5, Mr. Kenny Douglas gave brief remarks.
In Dieppe Bay, Candidate for Constituency Number 6 The Right Hon Dr. Denzil L Douglas shared fond memories of Mr. Owen Caines, describing him as the “embodiment of the spirit of Trade Unionism here in St Kitts and Nevis; especially at the field side operations of the Sugar Industry.” Present at the ceremony was Mr. George Dixon, the nephew of Mr. Owen Caines who laid the wreath on behalf of the family.
The delegation then moved to the St Peters Anglican Church Yard Cemetery, where they paid respect to Comrade Clarence Fitzroy Bryant. Leader of the St Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Terrence Drew, gave remarks, whilst former Minister of Parliament, Marcella Liburd laid the wreath on behalf of the family.
The Labour Party contingent made a final stop at the Springfield Cemetery in Basseterre where they honoured eight of eleven fallen comrades. These include, Sir Robert Llewelyn Bradshaw the first National Hero of St Kitts and Nevis, Sir Lee Llewelyn Moore, Comrade E St John Payne, Comrade J E O’Flaherty, Sir Probynn Inniss, Dr. Cuthbert Sebastion- former Governor-General and National Heroes Sir Joseph Nathaniel France and Sir Caleb Azariah Paul Southwell.
Etsu Bradshaw Caines and Carla and Araminta Williams, Shani Moore, Lady Inniss and Marcia Inniss, Ermelien Sebastian Duggins, Prudence France and Lorenzo Southwell were present at the ceremony and laid wreaths at the graveside of their loved ones.
The Labour Party Candidates of each constituency gave remarks and shared fond memories of the departed; who throughout the ceremony were described as some of the people who ensured a better way of life for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
The Wreath Laying Ceremony is an event held annually by the St Kitts- Nevis Labour Party and the St Kitts Nevis Labour Movement on the day before the Labour Day March.
