On Monday, October 13, 2014, we commemorated National Heroes Day for the second time. It is noteworthy that the recognition of this holiday comes after years of advocacy by Bahamian patriots who saw the need to recognize and highlight the accomplishments of our Bahamian forefathers and foremothers.
This is not only a way of expressing the appreciation of a grateful nation for the sacrifices of our national treasures, it is also important to the preservation of our history for future generations. There is no doubt that the current Christie-led administration ought to be commended for bringing into force the National Heroes Day Act.
A reflection on the purpose of this recent celebration and the events marking the same led this writer to the popular song by the Rahming Brothers - a Bahamian music group loved by many. The song, which is entitled "Who's gonna fill their shoes?" highlights several Bahamian luminaries from diverse backgrounds who have excelled in their fields, including politics, religion, cultural and the arts among others.
This piece beckons today's generation with a metaphorical challenge to its audience, seeking persons that will take up the mantle from where these legends in their own right have left off. The essence of the song begs the question - who is willing to defy the status quo, take risks and break down barriers for successive generations of Bahamians to benefit and gain inspiration?
Honoring the founding fathers
Members of the current government and the general public attended a public ceremony held in honor of the framers of our constitution and other Bahamian heroes at the mausoleum of the late Sir Lynden Pindling - who is widely regarded as the father of the nation. History records that in December 1972, a bipartisan group of 13 parliamentarians including representatives from the governing party and the opposition traveled to London to execute the independence order and pave the way for nationhood on July 10th, 1973.
The constitution framers included then Premier Sir Lynden Pindling, Sir Milo Butler, Arthur D. Hanna, Paul L. Adderley, George Smith, Cadwell Armbrister, Philip Bethel, Henry Bowen and A. Loftus Roker from the governing parliamentary caucus. The opposition members were: opposition leader Sir Kendal G. L. Isaacs, Sir Orville Turnquest, Sir Arthur Foulkes and Norman Solomon.
Today, we are blessed to still have six of these distinguished individuals in our midst and it is incumbent upon us to ensure that no story about their feats is untold or remains unwritten. We honor them all; both the living and those that have gone on to their eternal rest.
Ordinary people doing extraordinary things
Heroes in general and our national heroes in particular do not possess superpowers that enable them to do extraordinary things. These national treasures of ours are rather ordinary individuals who have chosen to use their God-given talents for the betterment of their people. They embarked upon voyages that were characterized by pain, challenges, betrayal, loneliness and numerous sacrifices. The true heroes of our nation generally have one thing in common and that is putting the national interest above their personal gain and comfort.
The contributions of the leaders of religion, trade unions and civic organizations who stood with the politicians of that era must not be minimized or forgotten. In the same manner, we the Bahamians of this age are indebted to our ancestors of that generation that supported a worthy cause when it was not convenient to do so. While there have been several commentaries in relation to the absence of women from the list of the framers of our constitution, the critical role and significant contribution of Bahamian women in nation building is undeniable.
The heroes of subsequent generations
The framers of our constitution and the other individuals upon whose shoulders we stand will forever hold a special place in the history of our commonwealth. The question is, how many individuals in the generations that followed that league of statesmen and stateswomen will have their names enshrined in our history books? In essence, what can we ascribe to the leaders that benefited enormously from the Quiet Revolution? Can we say that all the battles had been won by their predecessors and they had nothing else to fight for? If they did fight and bettered the lives of Bahamians, where are their stories chronicled?
As significant as the attainment of majority rule and political independence were, they did not mark the end of the fight for a better Bahamas. The initial focus on the education of our people and the establishment of several national institutions are commendable, but they did not eliminate the need for the further progression of our people.
Each generation has its own fights and battles to make the lives of their fellow citizens and mankind better. This writer submits that the legacy of any leader when scrutinized by future generations will not be determined by their personal accomplishments or shortcomings, but by their national contribution and how this impacted the people of this nation.
Filling shoes left behind
While we will continue to cherish the framers of our constitution, we should seek their wisdom in addressing today's challenges. The reality is that the bulk of their work at the forefront is done and the baton has been passed on to selfless individuals with the courage to confront walls that place limitations on our people. The question as to who is going to fill those shoes remains valid; who will rise up to the challenge of ensuring that the ills that plague our communities and society are substantially addressed or eliminated? Who's going to take the younger generation by their hands and lead them through the progressive path to economic independence? They need not fill those shoes, as big as they might appear, but should wear shoes that leave their positive marks in the sands of time.
The leaders of today sit under the shade of the proverbial trees planted by their ancestors; how many trees have they planted or will they be planting? These questions will be answered by future generations who will weigh them in the balance to determine whether they are found wanting. The reality is that individuals in the current generation have the potential to be national heroes. In no way should this be interpreted to mean that only politicians are worthy of being national heroes, as heroes come from all walks of life.
We should not be satisfied in just celebrating our heroes from several decades ago; rather we should aim to become heroes in our own way if only by making one life better in our nation. Moreover, we must search within ourselves and answer the questions posed by the Rahming brothers "Who's gonna fill their shoes? Who's gonna stand that tall? Who's gonna make the effort, to help us one and all? Who's gonna give their heart and soul to get to me and you? Lord I wonder, who's gonna fill their shoes?
In the final analysis, we must ask ourselves - after it's all said and done, what will be said about what we have done? Happy National Heroes Day!
o Arinthia S. Komolafe is an attorney-at-law. Comments on this article can be directed to a.s.komolafe510@gmail.com.

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