Governor General Sir Rodney Williams, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, and other government officials and diplomats, along with members of the armed forces and family members of the country’s late national heroes formed part of Wednesday’s wreath-laying ceremony on National Heroes Day.

The annual gathering is part of the calendar of events by the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission to commemorate the nation’s 41st Independence anniversary.

The national heroes being remembered are cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards, former Prime Minister Sir Lester Bird, educator Dame Georgiana Nellie Robinson, slave revolt leader King “Prince Klass” Court, the country’s first prime minister Sir Vere Bird Sr, and former Premier, Sir George Walter.

Wreaths were laid at the tombs of Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Snr and Sir George Walter at the National Heroes Park at Tomlinsons, at the Prince Klaas monument on Independence Drive and that of Dame Georgiana, and the St. John’s Public Cemetery, the final resting place of Sir Lester Bird.