By Christopher Famous

On Saturday, November 22, I traded in my “round the yard” clothes to put on a suit and tie.

Fortunately, this time I was not getting dressed to go and bury a loved one. Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it was off to the 47th Annual PLP banquet I was to go.

The 47th Annual PLP Banquet was held at the Fairmont Southampton. With cocktails starting at 6pm, based on previous experience, I thought it wise just to head straight to the tennis court parking lot and grab a shuttle. No time to waste trying to get a spot close to the hotel.

A ball of a time

Standing at the entrance to the hall collecting tickets and showing seating assignments were the legendary Mrs Marita Thompson, who follows in the footsteps of the late Burnell Henry as the Grand Dame of PLP Banquets, along with Ms Judy Grimes and Ms Ianthia Butler. Mrs Thompson, along with others, has helped to take hundreds of events from conception to completion.

One by one, and in groups, hundreds of persons and their voices began to fill the hall. As I looked around the room, my eyes saw individuals.

My mind, however, saw living history. There, in front of me, I had persons who had helped shape modern Bermuda. Persons whose names I knew as a child as well as I knew the names of the 12 disciples.

For many in my generation, we grew up in a time of great transition in Bermuda.

Our country’s history is steeped in racism and unjust social and political policies.

For those issues to be addressed, thousands of ordinary working-class Bermudians had to be willing to put themselves on the frontline to fight not only for their basic rights but also for the rights of my generation.

I saw so many of those freedom fighters on Saturday night. Some who were well known and many who fought in the background as unknown warriors, but just as dedicated. I will attempt to list some of those persons now. Undoubtedly, I will not get all, but please forgive me.

List of legends

Mssrs Brutus Foggo, Dennis Wainwright, Calvin “Bummy” Symonds, all St George’s Cup Match legends; Mr Earl “Gabby” Hart, who is a founder of Carifta; Mr Winters Burgess, construction industry legend; and Mr and Mrs Michael and Shurnette Caines; who helped to form the West Indian Association.

Stay with me now.

Former Premiers Dame Jennifer Smith, “Sir” Alex Scott, and Paula Cox, OBE; legendary PLP MPs Reginald Burrows, Stanley Morton, Ottiwell Simmons, and Walter Lister; former Minister of Home Affairs Lt Col David Burch; Former PLP Chairman Mr Victor Fishington and his wife; Ann Webb, stalwart of the Devonshire Branch; former Executive members Delroy O’Brien and Roddy Burchall; St David’s legend Mr Arthur Pitcher, minus Dolly Pitcher’s famous fish chowder; St George’s icons Mrs Elsie Shaw and Mr Lewis Ming; Mary Baisden; Mr and Mrs Tuzo; and Union President Chris Furbert, who headed the Union table along with Sister Molly Burgess.

Salute success

Next week I will discuss in more elaborate details the message and theme of the banquet. This week I had to pay respect to those who have paved the way for thousands of Bermudians.

They say that you must give persons their roses while they can still smell them.

So, on behalf of my generation I want to personally take this moment to say “thank you” to all of those persons named or unnamed.

It is because of you that Bermuda is a better place for my generation.

Please forgive us if at times we forget what you have sacrificed for us.

We will continue along the path you have set for us. Along the way, please continue to guide us. For in guiding us, you are continuing to help to mould a better Bermuda for Bermudians.

Living legends, we thank you and we love you.