President The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason re-experienced one of the highlights of her role as Head of State yesterday when she hosted 24 centenarians at her official residence, State House.
As her term in office draws to a close, the President invited 31 centenarians to the event, a gesture which she said represented “the part of my job that I loved most” and one of the biggest highlights of her tenure, which she confessed took a high priority among her official duties.
Yesterday’s event on the lawns of State House was intended to be a memorable occasion for the guests, most of whom were privileged to be visited by the President on their 100th birthday.
As she moved from table to table, sitting and chatting with every one of the centenarians, she was reminded by some of the signal points during their 100th birthday meeting.
Fitzgerald Brereton, the oldest living man in Barbados at 103 years, reminded her of his driving himself to State House on his 100th birthday, and opting to walk up the stairs rather than take the elevator, forcing the President to walk up the stairs behind him on that day.
Hermione Parris, the oldest woman in the nation at age 108, regaled the President with details of her family history, displaying a remarkable memory of that part of her life, while Collie Cleotha Lovell had a witty and insightful exchange with the outgoing Head of State.
A dapper 102-yearold William Allder, dressed in a green suit with matching felt hat, treated his fellow centenarians to an impromptu performance with his mouth organ, elated at the opportunity to be with them and the President again at State House.
For Dame Sandra it was a priceless and unforgettable occasion, given the amount of knowledge and Barbadian history assembled in one place.
She told the MIDWEEK NATION:
“It is kind of emotional, because I consider these as the people on whose backs Barbados has been built and I consider them the real historians.”
Suggesting Barbadians value and treasure these super elders of the country, she added: “It is one of those moments that you are at a loss for words.” ( GC)
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