Sir V.C Bird monument in St. John’s
Antigua and Barbuda today commemorates the life and legacy of the Father of the Nation, Sir Vere Cornwall Bird, with a national public holiday marking the anniversary of his birth on December 9.
As tradition dictates, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at the bust of Sir V.C. Bird on Lower All Saints Road. The event will bring together government officials, representatives of the Bird family, members of the Antigua Trades and Labour Union (AT&LU), and the Diplomatic Corps.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne is scheduled to deliver the feature address, where he is expected to reflect on Sir Vere’s transformative leadership and his role in guiding Antigua and Barbuda from hardship and deprivation to a modern, independent nation.
Sir Vere’s grandson, Sean Bird, will offer remarks on behalf of the family, while AT&LU President Bernard de Nully will address attendees from the labour movement’s perspective. Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party Chairman and Foreign Affairs Minister E.P. Chet Greene will also speak, along with Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Venezuelan Ambassador Carmen Velásquez.
Governor General Sir Rodney Williams will lead the wreath-laying segment, followed by Prime Minister Browne, members of the Cabinet, and senior statesman Sir Robin Yearwood.
The annual observance serves as both a tribute to Sir Vere’s enduring influence and a reminder of the pivotal chapters he authored in the country’s political and social evolution.
Thank you pap Bird for all that you’ve done
Tribute to visionary leadership. Ceremonies across the country highlight Bird’s contributions to labour rights, education access, and national development—hallmarks of his decades of public service.
Always important to remember where we came from. Sir Vere laid the foundation.