Statement by US Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda S Taglialatela, in honour of Thanksgiving Day.
On this 25th day of October, we recognise the heroism shown by Caribbean and US forces who 37 years ago answered the call of Grenada’s Governor-General, the late Sir Paul Scoon, and the leadership of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to restore rule of law and order to Grenada.
We honour the brave service members who made the ultimate sacrifice in this noble cause.
We say thank you to the citizens of Grenada for their assistance during the intervention. They include men and women from all walks of life and from every part of Grenada, Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and the diaspora who heeded the call and responded. They showed their dedication and commitment to this nation by crafting a tradition of democracy, peace, and security.
We are also grateful for the bonds of friendship, cooperation, and shared purpose that unite our peoples and our governments. Americans and Grenadians share a commitment to the rule of law, to democratic governance, and to human rights in the Western Hemisphere and around the world. Our bilateral relationship has been strengthened by decades of economic, educational, cultural, and security links, as well as by people-to-people connections that bring our nations closer.
The most recent tangible demonstration of this relationship is the commissioning during my visit to Grenada last week of US$6.6 million for 2 Emergency Operation Centres and emergency warehouses that we contributed to the people of Grenada. These state-of-the-art facilities on mainland Grenada and in Carriacou, along with the current centre on Petite Martinique, will enhance the country’s readiness and the ability of the staff at the National Disaster Management Agency to prepare, respond, and support the country’s recovery in the event of a crisis or natural disaster.
We are both grateful and proud of the history of strong relations between the United States and Grenada, and we will continue to work with Grenada to strengthen bilateral and regional security cooperation and combat transnational crime that threatens our economies and societies. Our work together to improve institutions and build resilient communities will contribute to a growing economy, creating jobs and increasing opportunity for more of Grenada’s youth.
On this Thanksgiving Day, let us honour the sacrifices of the past through steadfast work today, so that the bonds between our peoples may become only stronger in the days and years to come. We will continue to stand united. God bless Grenada, and Happy Thanksgiving Day.
US Embassy
I was a young lieutenant when I came to the island in 1983
It was very frightening to see what war looked like but I was proud to be a small part of the history of island. I am most grateful for the fact that I never fired a shot and never had to hurt anyone. My platoon found stockpiles of weapons and food enough to fill entire buildings.
The damage to buildings was unavoidable since the rebels were using them to attack our forces. I believe the actions were carried out in a professional way and that they minimized damage as much as possible.
We did not stay to take control nor did we take any nutmeg or cinnamon
Upon my return to Grenada in 2018 I was very pleased to find the island bustling with construction and stable in government. The college had grown into a world class university and the people seemed very happy and grateful. I am looking forward to returning again in the future.
Grenada will always have a special place in my heart
An invader disguises itself as a savior and gives such a great lecture.
Commie comrades Hart and Thomas seem to be stuck in the 1960’s, a time before communism was discredited as unworkable idealism.
The British gave you all a new home in an island paradise and Uncle Sam saved you from yourselves. When you lot gonna do something to help yourselves instead of blaming everyone else for your misfortune??
There are always three sides to an event, history or experience: their side, our side, and what it would have been like had they ignored the quagmire we were in – had they not intervened…. Think about that for a moment.
Thank the USA for what? Invading a free country and brutalizing it? Get real and see yourselves for what you are the bullies of the world not the saviours USA.
They need to pay us for the damages they have inflicted on us by the bombs that fell on the island and reversal of the progress we had made at the time.