Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin addressing the gathering on Flag Day.
First Vice-President of the Collectivité of St. Martin Valérie Damaseau, Tourism Minister Stuart Johnson, Parliament Chairperson Sarah Wescott-Williams, Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin, Education Minister Wycliffe Smith, Labour Minister Emil Lee, Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever, Finance Minister Perry Geerlings and VROMI Minister Miklos Giterson.
PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin urged the public to fly the St. Maarten flag proudly, during her address at the Flag Day ceremony on Thursday when the St. Maarten flag was hoisted at the Bell property on A.J.C. Brouwer Road on Cole Bay Hill.
“From today, let us come together; let us fly our St. Maarten flags proudly. Go get a small one, get a medium one or get a big one, it does not matter, just get one to wave as we express our love for this country,” Romeo-Marlin said during her address.
Referring to Thursday’s ceremony, she said the full celebration of the flag would be done as it had been on St. Maarten Day in 1985.
“When one thinks of a country flag, we know that it represents the people of a country and vice versa, the people represent the flag. It is no secret and it is well documented that the people of St. Maarten are resilient and so too is the St. Maarten flag.”
Uniformed groups at attention in front of the St. Maarten Flag on Cole Bay Hill.
St. Maarten’s flag was designed by Roselle Richardson. It was presented by Dr. Claude Wathey and approved and established in the Island Council on June 13, 1985. Now, 34 years later, it is safe to say the St. Maarten flag has withstood the test of time, she said.
“Today the St. Maarten flag is forever a part of our historical and cultural heritage. For those that had the privilege to be a part or witness the genesis of our 10/10/10 celebrations, it began with the lowering of the Netherlands Antilles flag and culminated with the hoisting of the St. Maarten flag, symbolising the birth of Country St. Maarten.”
As outlined in the Governing Programme, the government’s goal is to create awareness by promoting St. Maarten’s national identity, she continued. “Thus, we can achieve this objective by highlighting the importance of our national symbols such as the St. Maarten flag. Watching our national flag flowing in the wind gives us hope and establishes pride in what we do. A national flag also gives us the strength to persevere even when times are tough.”
She said books such as National Symbols by Lasana Sekou – describing the elements of the flag – cannot be overstated.
“These books must be cherished and used to enlighten our citizens and guests alike as this country forges ahead on its quest of nation-building. Our national flag is a shining symbol that brings us together as one. This morning, as the flag was being hoisted and as we have gathered here to pay respect to the St. Maarten flag, this simple action exemplifies a true sense of patriotism towards our beloved St. Maarten.
“Every so often it hurts when I see our flag discoloured, worn or tattered, but that dismay soon turns to pride and joy when we see a new St. Maarten flag on a bright sunny morning like today, flying so majestically with the Caribbean blue sea in the background. To those of you that fly your St. Maarten flag regularly, please make sure to take pride by replacing your old flags, and I encourage you to continue to show your patriotism. And for those that have not joined in yet, please do so.”
As a reminder, she said, on Constitution Day – the second Monday in October – and on St. Maarten Day – November 11 – to “let your flag fly high. Today, on Flag Day, June 13, together with pride let us rally, rally around our national flag.”
Flag Day celebrations began with a solemn sunrise ceremony with the hoisting of the flag at 6:00am. It closed with a more festive event at 5:00pm which preceded the ceremonial lowering of the flag at sunset.
First Vice-President of the Collectivité of St. Martin Valérie Damaseau, Tourism Minister Stuart Johnson, Parliament Chairperson Sarah Wescott-Williams, Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin, Education Minister Wycliffe Smith, Labour Minister Emil Lee, Justice Minister Cornelius de Weever, Finance Minister Perry Geerlings and VROMI Minister Miklos Giterson.
