People of St. Maarten need to rise up and protect their heritage and culture – PM
PHILIPSBURG:--- The official and traditional St. Martin's Day celebration that was hosted by the French side did not see much Members of Parliament from the Dutch side. Even the ten seat majority in parliament did not show their faces on Tuesday at the church service that was held at the Methodist Church. In attendance were Member of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo, Minister/Member of Parliament Maurice Lake and Minister/ Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever along with Prime Minister/ President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams. Among them were Governor Eugene Holiday and his wife, Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson, Minister of Finance Martin Hassink and Minister of Education, Youth and Culture Patricia Lourens-Philips.
The official ceremony was supposed to kick off at 9am but that was delayed by 25 minutes because the French authorities were not at the church to welcome their guests from across the border.
Prefet Delegue Phillipe Chopin arrived on time but after Governor Eugene Holiday and his wife Marie- Louise, Acting Governor Reynold Groenenveldt, Prime Minister and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams were all inside waiting on the arrival of the French elected officials whom it was said got delayed by the relay and bicycle races.
The sermon given by Pastor Rawlins dealt with integrity and other matters that are plaguing government currently.
After the church service the official wreath laying ceremony was held at the Belvedere border. The first set of wreaths were laid by Prefet Phillipe Chopin and Governor Eugene Holiday while the second set by Prime Minister/President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams and President of the Collectivity Aline Hanson.
During the traditional ceremony the gunslingers played the French and Dutch anthem.
Dignitaries posed for the various cameras for the perfect photo shots before leaving to French Quarter where they sat under a tent to view the various troupes that participated in the troupe parade. While enjoying the steel pan music and the performance given by Mighty Dow and his troupe a heavy shower of rain came down causing some minor flooding. However, by the time the dignitaries reached the Thelbert Carti stadium where the official speeches were given the rain stopped.
There were six speakers for the annual event they were Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture Patricia Lourens-Philips, President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Aline Hanson, Prime Minister/ President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams, Senator Guillaume Arnell, Governor Eugene Holiday and Prefet Delegue Phillipe Chopin.
All of the speakers placed emphasis on unity and cooperation, especially the Treaty of Concordia that was signed and respected some 366 years ago. The 2014 St Martin's Day celebration marks 66 years since this auspicious day is celebrated jointly.
Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams called on the people of St. Maarten/Martin to protect their heritage and culture especially now that the French are considering implementing border controls at the island's border. 
Wescot Williams asked the gathering if they still have the fire in their belly for the entire island? She also insisted that both sides local governments have been working closely as they enhance cooperation between the two sides. Therefore, it is up to the people of St. Maarten to ensure what they are enjoying now is being safeguarded and they should not allow outsiders to decide or dictate for the island. She asked how the younger generation can carry on the legacy that has been left by their forefathers when they have failed to transfer that legacy and pride that goes with it to the younger generation. "How do you want them to know if they are not being reminded of the way it used to be in the past? How do you expect them to take on the battle against any adversaries?" Wescot Williams said the Treaty of Concordia is alive and kicking and it's the people that have to bring it across to the young people of St. Maarten. "Today we are taking for granted what outsiders talk about St. Maarten in the most degrading way, most of the time when this happens the people of St. Martin turn their heads the other way and they repeat what is being said by outsiders about St. Maarten and its people." We are getting indications about proposals to close the border and instead of reacting it is left up to those that are saying it. Wescot Williams said many questioned why she gets preoccupied with such things but should that happen she herself will not be able to come across on the French side to request a birth certificate. "When I react they say that St. Maarten people are emotional. Yes we are emotional but we have to be emotional about the right things. We should do so to protect this land we call our own, even the treaty of Concordia states that when it comes to outsiders seeking to destroy the unity among St. Maarten and its people they will stand together." After the official speeches some of which were lengthy, the official toast to celebrate St. Martin's Day was held then lunch was served.
One of the things that was highly noticeable both on the French and Dutch side of the island on this St. Martin Day is that the people were not part of the celebration, there were hardly any vehicles carrying the St. Maarten flag, there were also not much persons along the roadside. The relay and bicycle races held on Tuesday morning were not as exciting as previous years.
Click here to view photos of St. Maarten/St. Martin's Day 2014 celebrations.
Click here to read Governor Eugene Holiday's St. Maarten Day Message.
