#NASSAU, Bahamas – Prime Minister and Treasury Secretary of the Hon. Philip Davis said on May 10, 2023 that the tragedy of May 10, 1980 strengthened the importance of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) and illustrated why the late Sir Lynden Pindling was so adamant that to establish such an agency for the defense of the territorial sovereignty of the Bahamas.
“Forty-three years ago, on May 10, 1980, at about 5 p.m., Marines were aboard Her Majesty’s deck “Bahamian Ship Flamingo faced a choice,” Prime Minister Davis said during the RBDF memorial service in Parliament Square.
“That decision was to hold firmly to the principle of service over self. On that fateful day, the entire crew was besieged in the performance of their duties,” he continued. “Ultimately, four young men were lost at sea: Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup, Navy Seaman Austin Smith, Navy Seaman David Tucker, and Navy Seaman Edward Williams.
“In an attempt to protect and defend the sovereignty of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, they have made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Also present were His Excellency, the Most High Hon. Sir Cornelius A. Smith, Governor-General; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment and Aviation, Hon. Chester Cooper and other Cabinet members; The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Michael Pintard; Chief Justice of the Hon. Sir Ian Winder; former Governor-General, the Most High Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling; senior members of the Unformed Branches; international guests; Clergy; family members and well-wishers.
Prime Minister Davis noted that this episode has become a “sacred symbol of pride and duty” for all RBDF Marines. Every Marine, he added, is acutely aware of the value of the ultimate sacrifice and the decision to put service on land ahead of themselves.
“Duty and sacrifice remain core tenets in recruit training, and every entry level has since understood the fundamental importance of the Defense Forces and their key role in national development,” said Prime Minister Davis
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At the heart of this “national tragedy,” according to the prime minister, were the mothers and fathers, wives, children and loved ones of the Marines.
“The tragedy of HMBS Flamingo cannot be discussed without acknowledging its sacrifice,” he said. “I know the unimaginable loss to the Marines is as relevant today as it was 43 years ago.”
Prime Minister Davis added that while the loss of the four Marines was “painful and immediate,” some of the parents have passed away and many of the children now have families of their own.
He added: “We may even wonder what our brave Marines would have made of their lives today if this horrific incident had not happened. There is no answer to that question, but as the leader of our country I can assure you that we are deeply grateful for the love and support you have shown these men and for the memories of them that you keep alive.”
Prime Minister Davis indicated that as the four young Marines lost their lives, they should all take the opportunity today to honor the survivors of the Flamingo incident. Not long after the disaster, he said, many of the survivors from the Flamingo shipping company returned to patrol Bahamas waters.
“Other members have been appointed and drafted into other ships or departments, where they have continued their noble efforts to preserve our heritage with impressive success,” he said. “Although the survivors have since resigned or retired from this prestigious organization, they continue to uphold the standards of a true Marine and provide invaluable service to our country in their respective fields.”
Prime Minister Davis said that as the Bahamas prepares to celebrate its 50th year of independence, everyone must “stand firm on the deck of our nation and, like these great men aboard HMBS Flamingo, be prepared for what is to come.”
“To you, the families of the victims, and the families of loved ones who died in military service, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support of our country’s first line of defense – the protector of our national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said. “I assure you that your sacrifice will forever be cherished in the hearts of the Bahamian people.”
He added: “On behalf of His Excellency Cornelius A. Smith, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas; the ruling party of the Bahamas; the opposition leader and his party; the grateful people of the Bahamas; and to my wife, Ann-Marie, I honor the memory of our fallen four and applaud their heroic efforts. The memories of Fenrick, Austin, David and Edward will never fade.
“May God continue to bless the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and may He continue to bless the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.”
CAPTION
On May 10, 2023, the Prime Minister and Secretary of the Treasury, the Hon. Philip Davis, joined His Excellency’s Governor-General, the Supreme Hon. Sir Cornelius A Smith; Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Investment and Aviation, Hon. Chester Cooper and other Cabinet members; The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Michael Pintard; Chief Justice of the Hon. Sir Ian Winder; former Governor-General, the Most High Hon. Dame Marguerite Pindling; senior members of the Unformed Branches; international guests; Clergy; Family members and well-wishers at the Royal Bahamas Defense Force memorial service to mark the 43rd anniversary of the sinking of the HMBS Flamingo in Parliament Square in Nassau, Bahamas. (BIS Photos/Eric Rose. Drone photography courtesy of Eric Rose)
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