Dear Editor,
The St. Maarten Guyanese Association (SMGA) would like to express warm wishes and congratulations to all Guyanese living in our adopted homeland a Happy Republic Day, which is celebrated each year on February 23.
It has been 48 years since our country attained the status of a "Republic" and despite the fact that we are living away from our homeland and have established new lives on the “Friendly Island” of St. Maarten, let us not forget from whence we came – for a people who know where they came from would always be appreciative of where they are today and what they have to offer.
Guyanese who have chosen St. Maarten as their home understand this and will continue to build this fledgling island-nation, as it is now our home. But in all of this, let us take time to reflect on what led us to leave our homeland and wish those left behind strength and wisdom to fulfill the dreams our political forefathers had when they fought for colonial independence from Britain.
As we reflect on the underpinning principles of our republican status, it is important that we continue in the spirit of cooperation upon which our country was founded. We have a lot to offer our St. Maarten counterparts and together we can build a successful nation here as we pool our myriad of skills, whether in the fields of education, health, construction engineering, or entrepreneurship.
We, the St. Maarten Guyanese community, believe that as St. Maarten prepares for a new political future this coming week, it is imperative that we become one people, one nation, striving for one destiny, in order to realize the island's motto, "Semper pro grediens" (Always for progressing).
St. Maarten Guyanese Association (SMGA)
