Cayman gives thanks

HRH the Earl of Wessex addresses the people of the
Cayman Islands at Heroes Square. At left is Pastor
Alson Ebanks.   Photo by Karl Nyyssonen

(Front row l-r): Hon Linford Pierson, Hon McKeeva
Bush, HRH the Earl of Wessex, His Excellency the
Governor Bruce Dinwiddy and Mrs Emma Dinwiddy
with participants of the National Praise and
Thanksgiving Ceremony

The Programme for the Thanksgiving Ceremony

A small child applauds the Thanksgiving

Friday,  November 19, 2004

On Wednesday 17 November, a poignant ceremony of national praise and thanksgiving brought together a country bruised and battered by Hurricane Ivan on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 September, to give thanks for Cayman’s ability to weather the storm and move ahead once again.

Heroes Square in the heart of George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands, was the fitting venue for the thanksgiving ceremony, which was attended by His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and local dignitaries, including HE the Governor Mr Bruce Dinwiddy and Mrs Emma Dinwiddy, Leader of Government Business, Hon McKeeva Bush, Speaker of the House, Mr Linford Pierson and other members of government.

There was a good turn out from members of the public, with all seats occupied, and many more were standing. 

The remembrance and thanksgiving ceremony was opened by the Master of Ceremony, Pastor Alson Ebanks, who welcomed the Earl, government officials and all present, followed by the singing of the national anthem, performed by Rudy Myles. 

Several prayers were read and hymns sang before Prince Edward spoke. 

The Earl of Wessex acknowledged the experience of other speakers and participants who had displayed amazing talent at the ceremony, and he said he was moved by what had happened to the Island and its people. 

Prince Edward said he wished to join in the celebration by giving thanks for what had survived. He stated; “While the Cayman Islands may not look quite as beautiful as it did on my last visit in 2003 for the Quincentennial celebrations, nature has a wonderful way of recovering.” 

He explained that already he could see some recovery, with green sprouts already starting to spring back, and roads under restoration. However, the Earl pointed out that what he was most thankful for was that the people survived and are recovering from the recent experience. 
Giving praise to those who have assisted and worked so hard with the recovery efforts the Prince said that the Queen and the rest of the Royal Family, along with the British people, plus the Commonwealth, were all engaged in praying for the recovery of the Island. 

Leader of Government Business, Mr Bush in his speech explained the importance of this Royal visit at such a time. He said that the Prince’s presence “ indicates to us that the Royal Family cares enough to ascertain, firsthand, our true situation.”

Mr Bush said that this ceremony of thanksgiving was a time for Cayman to, “take time out to signal our recognition of God’s protection and guidance through what is perhaps one of the most dramatic and dangerous times that most of us will experience.

“The passage of Hurricane Ivan through these Islands has been - and will be for most of us - an experience of a lifetime.”

The Leader of Government Business used the opportunity to not only give thanks for Cayman’s ability to get through the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan but also took the time to recognise the two lives that were lost here due to the storm and those who died in the 1932 Hurricane, when 109 lives were lost. He invited the audience to spend a moment of silence in remembrance of these souls.

On a positive note, Mr Bush said that through this trying experience, “we can emerge an even stronger people, as we all draw on our inbuilt resource of courage to get through these trying times,” he added. 

Mr Bush eluded to the resilience of the Caymanian people that is an inherent characteristic, speaking about the “legacy that we all share.” 

“It took character for our ancestors to set out - for all over - for this remote and unknown place; it took backbone for their descendants to take to the sea with minimal tools of navigation,” said Mr Bush.

“It took determination to become the master mariners of the world that we became. And it took fortitude to bring us to the point where we can claim today to be one of the largest and most successful international business centres of the world.” 

Mr Bush assured the audience that, “with God on our side, we will go forward even stronger than before.”

He continued that in practical terms this means, “we are all working together to help our people get a jump start on recovery; this is why the Government is supporting business to return to operation as soon as possible; and this is why we are looking at finding the resources to resolving the difficulties of the most needy – the elderly, the sick, single parents, the uninsured.”

The ceremony continued after the speeches, with various prayers and songs of praise including the national song, ‘Beloved Isle Cayman’ led by Ms Cathy Jackson. 

Pastor Reinaldo Dracket gave the final Benediction on a ceremony that benefited the gratitude felt by Caymanians after so many were spared here, when so many perished in the region in the same hurricane.

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