A service was held at Spring Gardens Moravian Church Sunday, to jointly commemorate milestones for two of the nation’s national treasures.
Sir Vivian Richard’s who will mark his 60th birthday, March 7, and Sir McLean Emmanuel who celebrated his 70th birthday on Tuesday, as well as his 50th year in the music industry were honoured at the service.
Dame Louise Lake-Tack, Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and other ministers of government attended the packed service.
Prime Minister Spencer congratulated the two knights calling them “two great icons of our country.” Spencer told the audience, “Sir Vivian Richards and Sir McLean Emmanuel have given the best of their lives to Antigua & Barbuda and the Caribbean and perhaps the world.”
Addressing both honorees, Spencer spoke in glowing terms, of Sir McLean. “ He evoked our national consciousness; he has awakened our cultural pride; he has moved our feet and made us sing out loud to his infectious melodies.”
The prime minister called Sir Viv, Antigua & Barbuda’s only living national hero, “the most significant cricketer of the 20th century.”
“The direction cricket seems to be going in the region and the world, Sir Vivian Richards remains the most significant cricketer of the 21st century.”
Spencer ended his address to applause, saying, “Happy birthday to both of you and shall I say hail to the monarch and hail to the master blaster.”
Saxophonist George Roberts played a rendition of To Sir with Love dedicated to Sir Viv andLamentation dedicated to Sir McLean.
Sir McLean better known as “King Short Shirt” performed a gospel selection; Jesus Touched Meaccompanied by a steel band orchestra, and Sir Viv offered a prayer of thanksgiving during the service.
The church service is only one of the events planned to celebrate both men and making Caribbean news.
(Source http://www.antiguaobserver.com/?p=72035)
