As members of our security forces and youth organizations marched on Bay Street and down Parliament Street to gather at the Garden of Remembrance yesterday, we reflected on the sacrifices of our predecessors. We paused to pay homage to the fallen and those that gave their lives so that our liberties may be sustained.

The occasion was marked by a church service and tributes to the heroes that fought and those that paid the ultimate price on the battlefield. In the midst of the commemoration, the memory of the events that resulted in the demise of the late Dr. Myles Munroe could hardly be ignored. And so, as we honored the departed and the living veterans, we remember a true Bahamian son and hero. This article deviates from the series commenced last week in honor of Remembrance Day and Dr. Munroe.

The price of freedom
It is important that we remember the labour of our past heroes and recognize their role in advancing the freedom that we enjoy today. There is a cost to freedom which we must not take for granted; indeed, the blood, sweat and tears of many on actual and proverbial battlefields helped to birth a world in which we can be free to be all that we can be.

The high rate of violent crime and erosion of self-pride among some of our people suggests that we have missed the essence of the struggles and fights of the veterans that we remember annually. The greatest honor and respect that we can show them is to contribute to the development of a nation that promotes economic freedom and social justice. We must resist mental enslavement and political tribalism which serve to restrict the potential of the Bahamian people.

A Bahamian hero
As we remember the life and times of Dr. Munroe, his dedication to the empowerment of people and the grooming of leaders in all spheres of life cannot be denied. He led leaders and provided them with sound counsel to confront the challenges of leading in a changing world. The extent to which Dr. Myles Munroe impacted the lives of people around the world will never be fully comprehended. However, one thing is certain: he was a man that represented his country well around the world for several years.

While Munroe's battles were not fought using guns and ammunition like our war veterans, he challenged the minds of the Bahamian people and consequently the status quo. Persons who knew him attested to his discomfort around mediocrity and his commitment to ongoing development of the total individual. There is no doubt that his place in the history of The Bahamas is secure and his legacy is established.

The victory in war
The Bible scripture which notes that the battle is not to the swift nor the strong but to them that endure to the end is instructive. The veterans that we remember know this too well as they have experienced in their lives. The battle is often long and difficult with several casualties on the battlefield. However, to secure the victory in war, endurance and perseverance are mandatory for the fighters. This is a lesson for those that work tirelessly for the betterment of our nation in the midst of myriad challenges that confront us.

Myles Munroe fought the good fight and kept the faith even unto death. Many will recall that in the final months of his life, he made the news for a number of his utterances on matters of national importance. While there were proponents and opponents of his views on matters such as gambling, the referendum on gender equality, immigration and crime, he remained resolute based on his convictions. Munroe will be remembered regardless as a man that stood up for what he believed even when it was unpopular and when he had to stand alone. Bahamian leaders will do well to emulate this trait and make decisions in the national interest of The Bahamas, especially decisions that will impact generations yet unborn.

The tragedy in life
One of the famous quotes attributed to Dr. Munroe is that "the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose." Munroe lived a purpose driven life and was sure of his assignment which he discharged to the best of his abilities to the end. The individuals that fought in the World Wars made the decision to sacrifice their lives towards a common purpose; a purpose bigger than themselves.

The richness of the graveyard was often referenced by this Bahamian son. He often lamented the dreams, hopes, visions, unwritten books and untapped potentials that lay dormant in cemeteries never to be used to benefit the world. Our veterans will be remembered because of what they did but we must ask ourselves after it's all said and done, what will be said of what we have done? Will we leave our footprints in the sands of time?

The ultimate honor
We still do not know how Munroe will be honored but we know that he will be forever honored in the lives of the many people he touched by his ministry and teachings. It is good to see that the people he served and imparted so much to have decided to honor him by renaming the building (the Diplomat Centre) in which he labored after him. This is only fitting for a man who was clear on his assignment and on his purpose in life which he exemplified daily.

Munroe attested to this in commenting that: "I was born to transform followers into leaders and leaders into agents of change". There is no doubt that The Bahamas is in need of agents of change at this juncture in its history more than ever before.

We celebrate the life of one Myles Munroe who served as an ambassador extraordinaire for his dear country in the week that we salute our veterans. However, we know that the greatest respect we can give them is to ensure that their labour does not go in vain. May the souls of Dr. Myles Munroe, his wife, others who perished in the crashed and all the dearly departed continue to rest in peace.

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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