Grenadians celebrate Independence in New York

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, February 6, 2011 - It was an evening of true Grenadian patriotism as nationals turned out to the Annual Independence Dinner & Awards Gala at Antun’s in New York on Saturday.

It was the final event in a series of activities in New York to commemorate Grenada’s 37^th Anniversary of Independence which will be observed on Monday.

Senator Denneth Modeste, Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development delivered the Prime Minister Tillman Thomas’ Independence address while Senator Dwight Horsford brought greetings on behalf of Opposition Leader Dr Keith Mitchell.

In his message, Prime Minister Thomas said that the strength of the country will be dependent on how strongly we exhibit a spirit of unity and sincerity.

“Every Grenadian, at home and in the Diaspora, must now find the motivation, the resolve and the courage to shoulder a personal responsibility to move Grenada forward”.

Dr Mitchell called on nationals at home and abroad to take the opportunity to renew their commitment to nation building.

“We are confident that one day, we shall be able to stand as a proud people and say yes we have struggled and have travailed and persevered. But through it all and in spite of our differences we have stuck to the task of nation building and now we can be truly and justly proud,” he said.

The sold-out event also included awards to an individual and two organisations for services to the communities in New York and Grenada.

Clinic Manager at the New York University College of Dentistry, Gracelyn Harris and Big Apple Social Club received the annual Independence Awards while NYU College of Dentistry accepted the Consulate’s humanitarian award.

The Consulate’s Community Service Award was presented to Dr Randy Glean during the Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving on January 30.

Ambassadors to the Permanent Mission of the United Nations including Grenada’s Dessima Williams; Caribbean Consuls General; Councilmember Jumaane Williams and Kings County Supreme Court Justice, Sylvia Hinds-Radix were in attendance.

Among the other invited guests at Saturday’s Gala were Grenadian-born Broadway performer Oneika Phillips and ABC’s Channel 7 Eyewitness News Journalist Carolina Leid, whose father is from Sauteurs, St Patrick, along with Miss Grenada/USA; Miss Caribbean; Miss Barbados/USA.