St. Kitts hails ‘Founding Father’

A double-header held in lower Manhattan last week marked two significant historic tributes to the twin islands of St. Kitts & Nevis.

Beginning with a morning flag-raising ceremony, the banner of the Caribbean nation raised attention and paid tribute to the alliance between the USA and the Caribbean islands.

Later on that afternoon, Alexander Hamilton, America’s first secretary of the treasury was honored with a wreath laying ceremony at his gravesite on July 12, the anniversary of his death in 1804.

The milestone anniversary event at Trinity Church was attended by nationals and friends of the Leeward Islands’ former, principal, sugar colony.

Hamilton was hailed as one of America’s founding fathers and a son of the Caribbean who was born in Charlestown, the capital of Nevis on Jan. 11, 1755.

He was appointed the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury by President George Washington on Sept. 11, 1789.

Last Thursday, the Bowling Green ceremony heralded his contribution with a statement from Prime Minister Denzil Douglas.

The leader was attending business meetings in Dubai, however, his statement was read by Arthur Piccolo, the event coordinator and chairman of the Bowling Green Association.

Hamilton died at age 49 in New York City on July 12, 1804.