Highlights Of JAGS McCartney Day On Grand Turk

From left: Head of the TCI Regiment Ennis Grant; Minister of Tourism Hon. Josephine Connolly; Minister of Health and Human Services Hon. Shaun Malcolm; Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Otis Morris; First Lady Mrs. Delthia Russell-Misick; Premier Hon. Washington Misick; Acting Governor Her Excellency Anya Williams; and Opposition Leader Hon. Edwin Astwood.

On Monday, the Turks, and Caicos Islands paid tribute to the TCI sole National Hero, the Rt. Most Excellent James Alexander George Smith (JAGS) McCartney, under the theme: "Lest We Forget... The Passion, The Drive, The Reason."

The morning ceremony included musical selections by students from several schools across the islands and a tribute in song by officers of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Premier Hon. Washington Misick addressed the event.

Former Chief Minister, the Hon. Derek Taylor, gave attendees a glimpse into the life and work of the late national hero, who said he would "always fondly remember." The keynote speech delivered by Senior Vice Present of Fortis TCI, Mr. Devon Cox, was inspiring and lauded by all attendees.

His words captured the essence of the late national hero, even quoting him directly from one of his past speeches.

The TCI Regiment on parade.

Following the wreath-laying ceremony, a twenty-one-gun salute by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force was done.

The TCI Cadet Corps on parade.

The service was attended by Her Excellency the Acting Governor Anya Williams, Premier Hon. C. Washington Misick, and Mrs. Delthia Russell-Misick, Leader of the Opposition Hon. Edwin Astwood, as well as Senior Cabinet Ministers, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Trevor Botting, and other Government Officials as well members of the community of Grand Turk.

The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force on parade.

JAGS McCartney Day is a public holiday to mark the work and life of the Turks and Caicos Islands' first Chief Minister, which is equivalent today as premier. Born June 30, 1945, Hon. McCartney died on May 9, 1980 in a plane crash. He was elected in 1974 to serve a four-year term, at the age of 31, becoming the youngest politician to ever been elected in the Turks and Caicos Islands.