Our National Heroes Day will soon be here – Monday 28^th January to be precise.

Cultural heritage is the theme and Minister responsible for Culture, Hon. Osbourne Bodden, said: “Celebrating our heroes is a way of giving thanks to those people who have changed our lives through their selfless actions. So let us return the favour, show our admiration and appreciation and make a difference in their life.

“A public nomination such as this helps to boost national pride which in turn, elevates our country’s presence to the rest of the world.”

Wow. That’s very impressive.

An organising committee led by officials from the Cayman Islands National Archive, The Cayman Islands National Museum, the National Gallery and the Cayman National Cultural Foundation have sifted through nominees and prepared a list of those THEY CONSIDER have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the Cayman Island’s cultural heritage.

However, does rewarding someone somebody else thinks deserves this recognition with a piece of paper that may include a pin or better still a medal make you a hero?

If it does, how long are you a hero for?

Does it last forever or just the day you receive your recognition?

Heroes Square is the place where you get your recognition or should. However, this year there are so many heroes, some (by what criteria I have to ask) actually receive their recognition at a luncheon. No walk for them in the hot sun between two nominees and receive their tribute from the applauding crowds attending, the television and press cameras flashing and a prominent official smiling at you as he/she shakes your hand and presents you with your reward.

Not ever having had this honour I presume you must feel a hero. Whatever that feeling is….

What a shame for those who must feel a lesser sort of hero…..  But they do get fed.

What has always struck me is when the Heroes Day ceremony is over, is it over? I mean are the heroes ever recognised again as such? Do the past heroes get invited back year after year as honoured guests? After all, they are officially still a hero. Heroes Day is for heroes and they have been presented with something that infers they are, even the ones at the luncheon.

I actually do know the answer to this because I have asked other “past heroes”. The answer is mostly “NO”! Even our top heroes – the ones that get Cayman’s Badge of Honour, do not automatically get an invite to another National Heroes Day.

That is so sad. The official reason given is that there would be too many heroes to accommodate them at Heroes Square.

I can sort of understand that as space must be made for all the MLA’s and top Civil Servants, Judges, Police, etc.. They must come before past heroes even if it is called Heroes Day

Whoops. I have said it. It nearly skipped past me. You are a PAST hero.

Once a hero NOT always a hero. Well, in the government’s thinking that is.

My dad never got a medal/pin or a piece of paper saying he was a hero, nor did my mother. But they will ALWAYS be heroes to me. Forever. Even after death and that is more important than a one off trip to Heroes Square for a couple of hours sweating under the hot sun and a few minutes of feeling like a hero?

Don’t you think, however, that quoting the Minister’s words, let us “show our admiration and appreciation and make a difference in their life” should be everlasting? Why not have a celebration after the Heroes Day affair somewhere else for ALL heroes. Past and present. Why not at The Governor’s Residence? That would be the most appropriate place.

In my book, if you are a hero you remain a hero and you should be recognised as such FOREVER.