Petty Officer Gladstone Moss of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Constable 3144 Gilbert Knowles of the Royal Bahamas Police Force (both in uniform) assisted John Ritchie and primary school student Ava Watkins in hoisting the Independence flag at this special ceremony in Long Island on the 11th June 2013.

LONG ISLAND, Bahamas - On the second leg of its national tour, the 40th Anniversary Independence Flag landed in Deadman’s Cay Long Island by the Air Wing of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force this morning to an enthusiastic crowd ranging from toddlers to senior citizens.

Wearing their national colours, Long Islanders beamed with pride proclaiming “I am proud to be Bahamian” as the flag was hoisted on the grounds of the Deadman’s Cay airport on this historic occasion. Long Islanders were especially thrilled to learn that the flag hoisted there was the exact flag that replaced the Union Jack on July 10th, 1973 at Clifford Park. Many in attendance clamoured for a photo with the flag to become a part of Bahamian history.

Mr. Chester Fox, Deputy Councillor and Mrs. Sharon Cartwright, South Town Chairperson both thanked the government as they brought brief remarks and the crowd on hand were entertained by the Mangrove Bush Primary School May Pole Dancers. 

Students from the Mangrove Bush Primary School entertained the crowd with the traditional plaiting of the May Pole.

Constable 3144 Knowles and Petty Officer Moss formally present the Independence flag to Ms. Deirdre Fox of the local Administrator’s Office.