From the revolutionary act of slave revolt, to quiet, steadfast overcoming-of-the-odds — more than 500 people were celebrated for their achievements during the National Heroes Day Investiture of National Honours Ceremony 2025.
Due to the large number of honourees, three separate award ceremonies were held: Monday, October 13 (observed as National Heroes Day) at 10:00am; at 4:00pm that day; and on Tuesday, October 14 at 4:00pm, at Baha Mar Convention Centre.
The Right Excellent Pompey Rolle, who led a slave revolt in the fight for human rights and fair treatment on Exuma in 1830, was designated a “National Hero”.
Pompey headed the list of persons recognized for their courage, hard work, determination, patriotism, heroism, and sacrifice in developing The Bahamas. Prime Minister the Hon. Philip Davis pointed out the common thread that wove the honourees together — that is, love of country and serving others.
“You all have one thing in common. You chose service over self. You chose to give instead of take. You chose to make this country stronger, kinder, and more hopeful,” the Prime Minister said in his Keynote Address at all three ceremonies.
Her Excellency the Most Hon. Dame Cynthia A. Pratt, Governor General and Chancellor of the Societies of Honour, beamed with pride and enthusiasm as she presented each honouree a medal, during the ceremonies.
The National Honours categories are: Order of National Hero; Order of The Bahamas, Companion; Order of Excellence; Order of Distinction, Companion; Order of Distinction, Officer; Order of Distinction, Member; Order of Lignum Vitae; Medals for Acts of Bravery; Order of Merit, Companion; Order of Merit, Officer; Order of Merit, Member; Governor General’s Award – Gold, Silver, and Bronze; and Distinguished Service Medal.
Recipients represented the public and private sectors, business, religion, health care, NGOs, sports, media, armed forces, and other areas in nation building.
The Prime Minister said: “You have done this quietly and faithfully. You have shown that service is the highest calling. You have proven that the greatest honour comes not from medals or titles, but from the lives you have touched and the hope you have restored,” he said. “You remind us that a good life is one that blesses others. That is what it means to be Bahamian. That is what it means to serve.”
Mr. Davis’s address was reflective of his childhood years growing up on Cat Island – a barefoot boy from Old Bight who would one day become Prime Minister of The Bahamas.
“When I look back on those days, I see God’s hand in every step. I see how His Grace carried me from those small beginnings to this moment.
“And when I think about that journey, I realize that it is not just my story. It is the story of many Bahamians. It is the story of a people who learned to live with little but give much. It is the story of a people who built something strong out of faith, hard work, and love for each other.”
Prime Minister Davis said that the world measures success by how much people have, but in The Bahamas, it is measured by how much we give, how we show love, and how we lift others up along the way
“That is the spirit that built this country. It is the same spirit that lives in every one of you today. You are the reason The Bahamas continues to stand tall through every storm. You are the proof that our greatest strength is not in our resources or our riches, but in the character of our people,” he said.
To the young people, especially those who performed during the ceremonies, the prime minister noted that every honouree began their journey with some level of uncertainty.
“They began with small steps. They began with service,” he said and then admonished the youth, “Do not wait for perfect conditions to do good. Start where you are. Help where you can. Love this country enough to leave it better than you found it.”
He said even with historical scarcity, the neighbourhood community concept of caring and sharing was the foundation on which the country still stands today.
“It is what we must protect. It is what we must pass on to the next generation,” he said.
In this vein, the prime minister admonished the honourees to keep that leadership spirit alive.
“Through your work and your example, you remind us that being Bahamian is about more than where we live. It is about how we live. It is about kindness, generosity, and compassion. It is about caring for others as we would care for our own,” he said.
Similar sentiments were echoed by the Hon. Fred Mitchell, chairman of the National Advisory Committee on National Honours, who also underscored the importance of the honours on the national consciousness, and upon identity as a sovereign people.
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