First. let me clearly state no one told me nor my wife until the end of our tour at George Washington House (GWH) that no pictures were allowed, even some of the Marines who went on tour as well did not know either, and some looked at us and silently mouthed “Oops!” since they were guilty of the same faux pas – so I already have the pix and I’m not surrendering them, ‘tek dah‘ (Bajan= take that)!
None of us discovered this revelation ’til we reached the kitchen which was guarded by a woman who was dressed like Betsy Ross, but she was way older, may be still alive from that Bicentennial Revolutionary era – “No, no pictures! Not anywhere through the house! Only outside the building!” There was no such mistakes on board the USS Hawes – but that’s Part 2 of this item…
Now let’s fly forward to the beginning – man, the security to arrive was so tight and thick I was beginning to wonder if the First Couple were attending personally? They were confused as I was neither fish nor fowl in terms of parking – they knew I was a Lottery host (Very well researched, I said nothing, just observing their observations) and thought I was doing a draw, but then I said I would just park there and walk to GWH. But they kept asking if I had a blue or orange disk for parking, eventually one of the guys just said if I was happy parking there (by Horseshoe Studios) then go right ahead.
Let me tell you, the celebration was lavish – with numerous decanters of Cave Shepherd’s ‘100 Not Out‘ rum, enough Samuel Adams lager and ale to float ten battleships, Hilton staff to serve hotdogs and hamburgers, Angus steaks with special sauce, and clam chowder.
Charge D’Affaires Brent Hardt greeted participants and Smokey Burke regaled the audience with both Bajan and American anthems.
Mr Hardt revealed that much of the impetus for the restoration of George Washington House came from then First Lady Hilary Clinton’s visit to Barbados in 1997. He also regaled audience members with a personal message from 44th POTUS Barack H. Obama;-
This weekend, our family will join millions of others in celebrating America. We will enjoy the glow of fireworks, the taste of barbeque, and the company of good friends. As we all celebrate this weekend, let’s also remember the remarkable story that led to this day.
Two hundred and thirty-three years ago, our nation was born when a courageous group of patriots pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to the proposition that all of us were created equal.Our country began as a unique experiment in liberty — a bold, evolving quest to achieve a more perfect union. And in every generation, another courageous group of patriots has taken us one step closer to fully realizing the dream our founders enshrined on that great day.
Today, all Americans have a hard-fought birthright to a freedom which enables each of us, no matter our views or background, to help set our nation’s course. America’s greatness has always depended on her citizens embracing that freedom — and fulfilling the duty that comes with it.
As free people, we must each take the challenges and opportunities that face this nation as our own. As long as some Americans still must struggle, none of us can be fully content. And as America comes ever closer to achieving the perfect Union our founders dreamed, that triumph — that pride — belongs to all of us.
So today is a day to reflect on our independence, and the sacrifice of our troops standing in harm’s way to preserve and protect it. It is a day to celebrate all that America is. And today is a time to aspire toward all we can still become.
There was also the presentation of colours by the US Embassy’s Honor Guard. It was magnificent to see how they pivoted around in a short space with such grace and economy of motion.
The house itself is quite small, and even in its heyday, the Clarke plantation was considered a small independent entity. They actually showed one of the original beams in the rafters.
The bed while appearing elegant, I doubt would have given much rest, full of feathers and very lumpy – it was no Slumberpedic nor Serta mattress by any dream! As for the period dress, no wonder folks had heatstroke, all those layers of clothing!
What I felt was not necessary was to remind people of the scourge of slavery, yes it existed – it was made clear in the talk given us by one of the guides. Being this is indeed the George Washington House of Bush Hill, it would have been more accurate to depict field slaves and how they dressed and not the degradation field slaves endured…
They even had a lever for you to heave to see how heavy the thorned manacle was around the neck! Why not, as my spouse remarked, show white indentured laborers or the convicts from the nearby Military Prison as well?
The USA Independence celebration concluded by eight with a brief fireworks display but the after party went on ’til eleven! Palin’s resignation and the death of Michael Jackson dominating most conversations… But who to my wondering eyes did appear but former US Ambassador Mary Ourisman – we all know by now my episode at Las Cibeles last year. What would she say? What would she do? Call Security? Give me a Texas beatdown?
(Also appearing again that night was the teen I saw in November with the Dr Seuss version of a patriotic hat)
Mrs Ourisman saw me by the inside bar yakkin’ to some Marines and Embassy crew, but she made sure to look me straight in the eye and nod, then turned her back to me without a word, LMAO! Swear to God! Suppose it was merciful, but to me it was pricelessly hilarious!
In our next look at American Independence in Barbados, we’ll relay our trip on board a US warship which has a female commander!
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