Government must seize opportunity to inject deep sense of patriotism

Dear Editor,

Over the last period, Guyanese at home and abroad have been inundated  with issues related to the complete absurdity of Venezuela’s claim to our Essequibo. For me, it’s not a controversy, it is an ill-conceived contention by the current leadership in Caracas. Happily, Guyanese in every walk of life have so regarded this spurious claim by Mr. Maduro and his cabal.

What some of us are concerned about is the ease with which the Government shifted from not talking to an adversary  to the meeting in St. Vincent. On reflection, we can empathize with this shift of position of the Government of not wanting to irritate our friends in the OAS, Caricom and beyond. But I suppose political leaders are entitled to what three generations ago would refer to as ‘sand-dancing,’ that is trying to waltz when the band is playing a robust rhumba.

I am at a risk of repeating myself to advise our Government that they must seize the opportunity to inject from childhood to old age a deep sense of patriotism, that will ensure that deep down everyone of us will have a passion to preserve, protect and die for our patrimony, all of it.

Speaking to youngsters just entering Secondary schools, they could not sing with the gusto we did fifty, sixty years ago, most of our national patriotic songs. In many countries when the national teams are playing against others, the stadium erupts with a popular national song or jingle.

Ministries, religious and social organisations must work at this. It may seem simple, but all great nations lean on their songs and chants to galvanize their people against an adversary whether it be in football, cricket or an attempted assault on one square inch of our territory.

Our best known big neighbor, the United States has a stanza in their National Anthem. Every American proudly sings meaningfully

                         “O say can you see by the dawn’s light

                           What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming

                           Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight

                           O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

                            And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air

                            Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there

                            O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave

                            O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”

When we sing our National Anthem, when we stand erect, click our heels together and with reverence, our right hand on our heart and say our pledge, it must be a solemn moment of recommitment to our National Anthem, our National Flag and our country. This is a part of what I meant earlier, when I talked about ‘defense in depth.’

Editor, this is not the dreams of an old man but the hope and aspirations of a patriot anxious to solidify and vindicate the sacrifice of our noble ancestors.

Yours truly,

Hamilton Green

Elder