National Heroes Day (October 12th) is celebrated on the second Monday in October and is now observed as "National Heroes Day," to honor Bahamian national heroes. It phases out the former Discovery/Columbus Day Holiday.
That said I would like to highlight three Bahamians that I consider my heroes:
First is Dr. Cleveland Eneas Sr.
"Cleveland W. Eneas Sr. is a some time practising dentist who is employed part time by his older son, Dr. Cleveland W. Eneas Jr. He is a Bahamian-Bahamian, having been born in the middle of Bain Town, in the middle of the summer of 1915. In spite of the fact that most people believe that he is the oldest man in Nassau, he’s still in the youth of old age.
"He is the son of the late Bishop W. V. Eneas of the Church of God. He was educated in the schools of Nassau, and then his father sent him to Tuskegee Institute, where he finished high school in 1933, and earned a B. Sc. degree in 1937. He and his wife Muriel, a retired headmistress of St. Anne’s High-School, have just returned from Tuskegee University, where he celebrated his 15th class reunion.
He is a graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tenn., in the class of 1941. Upon graduation, he taught gross anatomy and oral surgery for six years at Meharry.
"He has practiced general dentistry in Nassau since 1947. He is in partnership with his son, whom he describes as “a very benevolent boss.” His other children are: Dr. Judson F. Eneas, who is practising internal medicine and nephrology in Nassau, and Dr. Agreta Eneas, who is practising family medicine at the Princess Margaret Hospital.
"Dr. Eneas is a charter member of the first Kiwanis club to be formed outside of the continental U.S.A. and Canada – the Kiwanis Club of Nassau – and is still an active member in that club. He has served in many positions in Kiwanis, from chairing programme committees, president in 1969-1970; Lt. Governor in 1974 for which he received a distinguished Pin.
"His hobbies are many, but chiefly golf and writing, in which pursuits he is ably assisted by his wife. It is said that he is a very good golfer, but never learned how to make good scores. He has written and published three books: Bain Town, Let the Church Roll on and his latest, Tuskegee, Ra! Ra!
"Dr. Eneas has been the chairman of the Bahamas Golf Federation for a number of years. He is the chairman of the boards of trustees for both the Southern Public Library and the Nassau Public Library.
He is a Presbyterian elder, and superintendent of the Sunday school at the Kirk in Nassau.
In the 1989 New Year’s honours he was made an Officer of the British Empire."
Second is Jackson Burnside III
Jackson's profile at his company web site (Jackson Burnside Ltd), beside all of his great educational accomplishments and successes says:
"He is an artist and cultural advocate and has been the recipient of numerous awards and honours, including The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Citizens Award for the Creative and Performing Arts, and The 2008 Bahamas Home and Builders Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in community and cultural affairs and he is Chairman Emeritus and a Designer of the ‘One Family’ Junkanoo and Community Organization Group."
"Pat Rahming is one of the Bahamas’ foremost creative visionaries. As an architect, he has won many awards, and the many buildings he’s designed are just part of his legacy. He is a popular and much-respected singer/songwriter. His album “Poetry”, released in the early 1980s, is considered by many to be one of the best Bahamian recordings of all time. He is the author of three celebrated collections of poetry, and his fourth book, “Community Announcements”, is scheduled for publication this year. He’s presently enjoying the success of his latest recording effort, a CD entitled “Retrospective,” featuring the best cuts of his 25 years in the field of music."
Unfortunately Dr. Eneas and Mr. Burnside passed away leaving many treasured memories for me. Mr. Rahming is still alive and kicking
