As Bermudians we must not merely focus on the present and the future to the complete exclusion of the past. Forgetting the past can endanger the future.

The past is important because Bermudians that have gone before us created a solid foundation economically, politically, socially, culturally and environmentally which today makes Bermuda one of the finest countries in the world to live and raise our families.

Moreover, the past is important because our ancestors discovered certain truths from which we can learn and avoid repeating their mistakes. These truths range from social to physical development of Bermuda. Among these truths are: 1: The evils of segregation and bigotry.

2: The just and moral right of universal adult suffrage.

3: The importance of hard work, accountability and personal sacrifice.

4: The importance of collective effort and voluntarism. Many homes, churches, friendly societies and so on were built by groups of volunteers.

5: . The importance of education as a means of making a better life for us and our families, as well as making Bermuda a better place in which to live.

6: . The significance of a written constitution which embodies the rule of law, individual human rights and the organisation and administration of Government.

7: . A spiritual foundation that had a significant impact on the civility of Bermudians.

8: The unique construction of Bermuda houses and some public buildings which have stood the test of time.

These are but a few examples of those truths that have created a solid foundation for today's Bermuda.

Memory loss distorts how we view everything: our achievements, our failures, our country, our family and our human relationships. If we are not familiar with the history of our past actions, young Bermudians would not have a historical compass to propel them into making common sense decisions about the future. In addition, we would have difficulty appealing to them the importance of service, self-sacrifice, hard work, integrity, individual responsibility and accountability -- Nobel Laureate John Eccles reminds us, "Without memory we are hollow persons, not only empty of a past, but lacking a foundation upon which to guide the future. We are what we remember.'' Another writer puts it this way: "If the memories of the past are not passed on, for all intents and purposes, they cease to exist.'' And he warns: "By creating the impressions that the new is intrinsically superior to the old, science and technology have effectively dethroned tradition.'' The computer, whether we like it or not, is an integral part of our everyday lives. It has a memory but no remembrance. Memory is the ability to store and recall information. Remembrance is the act of reminiscing or narrating past experiences.

The computer can often allow us to mistake access to information for wisdom.

Information retrieval by a computer is the process of recovering specific information from stored data. While wisdom is the ability to think and act utilising knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense and insight.

Wisdom is synonymous with judgment, discernment, prudence and judiciousness.

The computer is of paramount importance in every facet of our lives. Young Bermudians who are very proficient in technology skills are in demand in Bermuda and the rest of the world. They find it easy to get employment and to make a good salary. But students majoring in technology skills must not forget history, literature and the humanities that help create well-rounded life and contribute toward a well-rounded society.

Ignorance of the past also has political implications. An uninformed public might have real difficulty analysing political policies and practices that will be damaging to the interest of the country. An uninformed public can also permit politicians to slip through legislation that takes away individual rights.

We must remember that Bermuda belongs to its history. Proud as some people are of our history, we must be cautious of practice and policies born out of nostalgia. Nostalgia, a yearning for the past, is a dubious guide to policy at any time, it is wholly out of place in this most dynamic age in the history of man. Bermuda belongs to its history and its history is its people, and it must at all times serve the future of Bermudians in this world of expanding opportunities. Abraham Lincoln said: "As the world is new, you must think anew.'' This does not mean we should be oblivious of the past.

Bermudians need to be familiar with our economic, cultural, social and political history. Our history needs to be merely guide posts, that is, what to do and what not to do. We need to use history to ensure the essential purpose and function of Government is to promote freedom, transparency, honesty, integrity, law and order and social justice particularly since the rhythm of change has become more dynamic that ever before. The government's mission is not to preserve the past but to humanise the future. This should be Bermuda's tradition and government's mission.