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Anguillians In The U.S. Observe Memorial Day

For many in the United States, Memorial Day is set aside to recall the memory of those who’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice -their lives- fighting for the cause of freedom. This day of reflection begs of all to recount the past as we collectively shape the future. And while it ought to be a day of national mourning, it has evolved into an occasion for families to gather, for friends to commiserate, and the day which culturally begins summer. And this holiday continues to evolve…

Anguillian campers in the US

The coloured polka dots, painted against the fresh Spring green of the Poconos forest, truly represented the rich diversity of generational experiences at what is fast becoming an annual reunion encampment. As we drove into the campsite and saw the brightly coloured tents, we could hear the very familiar voices of Anguillians we’d not seen in what seemed like forever, “Ahya looka wuk, bless mi eyesight.” No one could imagine seeing the likes of Daisy Wong, Teacher Rosalind Pond, Evelyn Levons from South Valley, among this throng of Anguillians camping in the Poconos.

Under the leadership of Dr. Verlyn (Pond) Warrington, James Fleming, and Dawn (Richardson) Benjamin this tradition was started several years ago and continues to attract a number of Anguillians living across the United States. This extraordinary opportunity attracted forty nine individuals this year from as far south as Florida to as far north as Massachusetts. Young and old alike, in some cases spanning three generations, laughed; they shared stories of Anguilla past; we played games and cooked together. We epitomized what it truly meant to be Anguillian.

Daisy Juan-Richardson

And then from the corner I could hear someone shout, “Fott it a clout with a shoe.” Upon further inquiry, we discovered that this cry was the solution of a frustrated camper responding to an irritating bug that was attempting to dance on a fillet of Escovich. Not only was it hilarious in the moment, but it captured a moment, a vernacular to Anguillians that many hadn’t heard in so very long. It was also at this very moment that we were reminded of the cultural significance of language as a means of identifying us as Anguillians. More importantly, it is an anthropological marker, one that is uniquely ours, that carved a way of being and communicating out of a shared historic past. This past, as we know it, was one of struggle. Who better to recount these struggles?

Gathered around her like suckling in search of fodder, young and old alike were being culturally fed by the stories of our historic revolution. Daisy “Dee” Juan [Richardson] kept the attention of all as she told of the many incidents that shaped who we are and what we enjoy today. In some way, we were re-contextualizing our Memorial Day…a day when we could recall the memory of the single event that demonstrated the kind of moral and political fortitude that we became notoriously known for. It was a day for us to reflect on all who struggled and sacrificed for the cause of justice and our freedom.

Daisy “Dee” Juan [Richardson] (left) telling one of her stories

One very fascinating dimension of the outing was the truly Caribbean feel. Yes, we were in Pennsylvania and not Shoal Bay, and yes, it was “dyamn near” 40 degrees, but there was a warmth and camaraderie among the Anguillians and those adopted into the Anguillian family. Whether you were Dominican, Nevisian, Trinidadian, American, German or Antiguan, you experienced the true Anguillian hospitality that we’ve become celebrated for. The sense of Ujima, the Kwanza principle that advances the idea of collective work and responsibility was very evident. And then I thought if only those architects of early Caribbean unification could observe the collaborative feel of this camp in action, then perhaps the many experiments of Federation might have succeeded.

The card games, the story telling, the laughing and crying, the kneading of the johnny cakes and the boiling of the bush tea all made for a truly Anguillian weekend. Nothing was more Anguillian-esq than the manifestation of our faith and our coming together to support our own. Whether it is ‘stealing’ a stick of fire from one’s fire pit or standing in prayerful support, Anguillians are known to be bearers of the others’ burden. And so, called to don his pastoral hat, Rev. Hugo Rey Jr. offered up intersession for one of the campers who was preparing for surgery. What was particularly interesting was the fact that we all cared, we all shared the uncertainty, and we all hoped for the best possible outcome as if it were a blood relative – even those who did not know the camper. Indeed, faith has always been an important hallmark of our existence. The intensity and poignancy of that prayerful hour was telling.

Oh to return to those days where we were each others’ keeper. Oh to return to the days where malice and strife were non-existent – where we could call each other family. And while there are those who may consider my utopia naļve, we must continue working to capturing that spirit that seemed common-placed at this annual Anguillian Reunion Camp.

Written by Trevor Hodge

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