From the Office of the Prime Minister Fellow Grenadians, Today we commemorate the events of October 1983. It was one of the most difficult periods in our history, yet one we should never forget. Twenty six years later, we should begin to draw on the lessons of that period to help us become stronger as a nation and more united as a people. While some will choose to look back at this period as a hindrance to our collective march forward, I view it as a platform on which we can harness our will to work together for the benefit of our nation. Ladies and Gentlemen, fellow citizens, while it is necessary to mark major developments in our history, it is also critical that we use them to plant a stake that signals a new start, a new commitment to be our brother’s keeper. So as you reflect on the events that led our country to the difficulties of 1983, let it serve as a lesson to us, that our future depends on our ability to move on. It may not be easy for some, but our lives must never succumb to the hatred and divisiveness of the past. For us as a people, October 1983 was not an isolated incident; it was one more hurdle to overcome. Today it is a testimony to our strength and resilience. It is in this regard that I encourage you to forgive those who may have hurt you, strive to heal the divisions that affect our families. Let us teach our children the importance of harmony rather than fighting and strife. We must commit to removing the shackles that hold us back and be determined to forge forward against all odds. This is even more important at this time, as we face the difficulties associated with the global economic downturn. Ladies and gentlemen, fellow citizens, let us strive to bridge the divide that traditionally has affected us, then we will be on a new path of unity and stronger brotherhood. This is my hope for all citizens of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. May God bless us all.