As Vincentians in the United States began celebrating their 46th Anniversary of political independence from Great Britain on Sunday, Oct. 19, Ambassador to the United States Lou-Anne Gilchrist urged nationals to also celebrate the country’s new identity.

“On Oct. 27, 1979, the flag of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a newly independent nation, was hoisted for the very first time. From that moment, our blessed homeland became a sovereign state, assuming full responsibility for its future trajectory, governance, self-determination and the destiny of its people,” said Gilchrist, who is also High Commissioner to Canada, in addressing an Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving, marking the country’s 46th Independence Anniversary, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church on Farragut Road in Canarsie, Brooklyn.

“Today, 46 years later, our country stands proudly as an exemplar of resilience, courage, unity, and a stable democracy,” she added. “The pathways, which have converged and brought us to our current destination, were not always smooth, but decades of visionary, astute, and informed leadership have established our country as a leader in regional and hemispheric affairs.

“Moreover, on the global stage, the voice of St. Vincent and the Grenadines commands genuine respect,” continued Gilchrist, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States. “As a people, we have confronted numerous challenges to our sovereignty, aspirations, and survival. Nevertheless, we remain steadfast in our collective will to survive and prosper. We have, therefore, sustained our desire to overcome adversity and affirm our identity as Vincentians.”

The envoy said while Vincentians may live in many lands, their hearts are “rooted in and dedicated to the further advancement of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

“Proof of this rootedness and dedication is the alacrity with which, you, the members of the various organizations in the U.S.A. and Canada, whether through your economic support, social and philanthropic work, or the overt expression of our unique culture, contribute to the national, economic, and social development of our homeland,” she said.

“As we celebrate this 46th Anniversary of Independence of our beloved nation, I acknowledge and commend your consistency in honoring the trailblazers and nation-builders who have shaped our national identity,” Gilchrist added.

She said awarding the youth scholarships and showcasing their work ensures they have a bright and prosperous future.”

“You neatly bridge the celebration of our past achievements with the inspiration and aspirations of a secure future,” said Gilchrist, noting that Vincentian communities in North America recognize the importance of flying the Vincentian flag high.

“Our flag is the symbol of our unity with one another and our environment,” she added. “It also represents the ideals of peace and justice to which we must all aspire as we navigate the shifting geopolitical landscape.

“We, therefore, must reaffirm our commitment to maintaining peace and justice for all, without exception,” she urged. “At this time of celebration, let us affirm that independence is not merely an episodic awakening of patriotism and fervor but rather an enduring state of mind and a continuous call to action to build our nation for all – our youth, our elderly, our indigenous people, our physically and mentally challenged brothers and sisters, and the most vulnerable among us.”

Gilchrist expressed “profound gratitude” to Vincentian communities in North America for their “unwavering dedication, selfless contributions to our homeland, and invaluable investments in the future of our nation.”

She, therefore, used the occasion to present a “Certificate of Recognition” to the Brooklyn-based Vincentian umbrella organization in the United States, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.SA., Inc. (COSAGO), organizer of the Ecumenical Service of Thanksgiving, for its “years of distinguished service and enduring commitment to the national development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

The service was also held with the Manhattan-based Consulate General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the United States.

In his Independence Message, Consul General to the US, Rondy “Luta” McIntosh greeted congregants with “a heart full of gratitude, pride and deep reflection as we gather to give thanks to Almighty God for 46 years of independence — 46 years of resilience, growth and unwavering national identity.

“Today, as we sit in this sacred space, I am reminded of the power of faith, community, and prayer — the very foundations that have sustained St. Vincent and the Grenadines through every trial and triumph,” he said. “On Oct. 27, 1979, we stood together as a people, claiming our place among the family of nations. And through every challenge — from natural disasters to economic hardship, from global crises to rebuilding our communities — we have held fast to the belief that ‘with God, all things are possible.’”

McIntosh said St. Vincent and the Grenadines marks its 46th Anniversary of Independence with “a profound sense of hope but also heightened awareness of the global and regional threats that surround us.

“Our region — the Caribbean — is now facing growing military tensions and geopolitical rivalries that threaten the long-standing tradition of peace in our hemisphere,” he said. “These developments are sobering. And they call us, as a sovereign people, to be both vigilant and prayerful. We must not take peace for granted.

“In this moment, I urge all of us — at home and in the Diaspora — to come together in fervent prayer; prayer for the continued safety and sovereignty of our nation and our neighbors; prayer for wisdom among our leaders and diplomats as they navigate complex and dangerous global waters; prayer for peace, even in the face of provocation,” McIntosh added.

“Let us boldly declare, with faith and unity, that our Caribbean must remain a Zone of Peace — a region not of warships and weapons, but of dialogue, diplomacy and dignity,” he continued, also praying for nationals in the Nov. 4 Mayoral Elections in New York City.

“Let us also remember our responsibilities to each other — to uplift, support, and build up our communities wherever we are planted,” he said. “The Diaspora remains a vital branch of our national tree. Your contributions — spiritual, financial, cultural, and intellectual — continue to nourish the roots of development in SVG (St. Vincent and the Grenadines).”

The Consul General urged nationals to attend the Independence Anniversary Scholarship Gala on Sunday, Oct. 26, at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, Queens, and the Flag-Raising Ceremony the next day, Independence Day, at Bowling Green in Lower Manhattan.