My fellow Grenadians, I greet you with a profound sense of pride as we celebrate another Anniversary of our Nation’s Independence. Today is a day to reflect on the bold and courageous steps taken by our Founding Fathers who paved the way for our accomplishments during the last thirty-two years.

Today is also a day to thank God for the strength and resilience that he has given to Grenada and its people and to acknowledge the many blessings and benefits he has bestowed on us. Let us offer up to Him our dutiful prayers and thanksgiving.

Sisters and brothers, we have gained our independence but in actual fact, we have become more interdependent and more interconnected with the rest of the world. A good example of this was when our Caribbean family, and our friends and supporters from outside the Region came to us willingly in our time of need after hurricanes Ivan and Emily. I thank them for their prayers and assistance.

I am especially proud of the hard work and resourcefulness of our people and institutions and of their dedication and commitment to rebuild a better Grenada.

Self-reliance and self-sacrifice were admirable strengths of our forefathers, qualities we should strive to preserve. So, while we appreciate the help of our friends, in the final analysis, we must accept fully the responsibility to help ourselves. "We Grenadians must work together and make the necessary effort and the vital sacrifices that are needed to take our country forward."

That, we must do while preserving and guarding jealously our democracy, human rights, the rule of law, and the right to free choice and peaceful change of government, treasures we once lost but now cherish. This is not surprising because once the fruit of democracy is eaten, its taste is never forgotten...

Sisters and brothers let us on this day pledge to create a better Grenada. Let us dedicate ourselves to the preservation and improvement of democracy and to the education and development of our young people. Let us work together to stamp out the deadly evils of crime, drugs and terrorism. And let us resolve to show more compassion and generosity to the poor and needy. Finally, let us give our best in whatever we do and in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.

Happy Independence Day to all of you and may God bless you and our Nation.