Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, consul common of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to New York, addressing an viewers on the Guyana Consulate throughout a Republic Anniversary celebration final yr.
Picture by Tangerine Clarke
Rondy “Luta” McIntosh who was appointed Consul Normal of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to New York, in August 2023, mentioned his dream is for his nation folks and Caribbean nationals, to unite extra to develop their homeland, throughout a Jan. 2 telephone interview with Caribbean Life.
“We can assist one another, raise one another up and at all times keep that bond, to construct your nation again within the Caribbean,” mentioned CG McIntosh.
He mentioned the diaspora performs an important function within the improvement of “our nation, however we’ve got seen plenty of mind drain taking place across the Caribbean. Individuals go to universities to get their training and I believe the aim of each authorities is that they arrive again to their nation and assist us to construct and develop, however the actuality is, all won’t come again, some will unfold their wings and go the place there are extra alternatives and extra assets in metropolitan nations.”
“I wish to say to aspirants, particularly from the Caribbean, it’s best to always remember the place you got here from and even those that have been born in America, ought to always remember that they’re there as a result of their dad and mom have been born in Saint Vincent, or someplace within the Caribbean.”
“Ship one thing again residence for family members, at all times hold that connection. Allow us to not lose our tradition or our identification as a result of we aren’t within the land of our beginning. We’re within the biggest diaspora group in all the world, the US of America.
“The Italians, the Jews and Germans, everyone is within the US, however the magnificence is yow will discover your personal folks and nonetheless keep that semblance of our Caribbean. We are able to nonetheless observe our cultures, the meals that we eat and our carnival, within the Labor Day parade, the totally different features, and celebrations, that we’ve got within the Caribbean, so my dream and my want is that we unite extra,” mentioned CG McIntosh.
The diplomat congratulated Captain Rochell Roache-Lanza, a nationwide and the primary feminine to captain an American Airways plane to Argyle Worldwide Airport, in her homeland on Dec. 9, 2023, as a outstanding achievement.
He famous that SVG is a small multi-island state, which comprised 32 islands and cays, and pleased with its success in having the capability to match worldwide airport requirements, the place massive plane land, “and so as to add the accomplishment of a younger Vincentian and the primary feminine to pilot a big plane to our worldwide airport is one thing very vital for us as a nation and folks,” mentioned CG McIntosh, of Captain Roache-Lanza, who was born in Bequia, and attended the St. Joseph Convent Kingstown, the daughter of Marilyn and Earl Roache of Yambou.
CG McIntosh, who was welcomed with open arms, and has change into fairly fashionable within the diaspora, lauded Captain Roache-Lanza, a former air site visitors controller on the E.T. Joshua Airport who served in that capability in Canouan and Union Island.
The aviator who developed a ardour for changing into a pilot and received her wings in Canada and served as a pilot with LIAT and Caribbean Star, occurring to fly with Arik Air, West Africa’s largest business airline, that again then operated a fleet of 23 state-of-the-art regional, medium haul and haul plane, together with two airbuses, was lauded for her magnanimous accomplishment.
“Her achievement sends a message to different younger those who the sky is the restrict that you could obtain something no matter how small our nation is. As soon as you set your thoughts to it and you set the hassle into it you possibly can obtain greatness,” mentioned McIntosh referring to the airwoman, who after finishing her contract, returned to Texas, the place she taught and performed FAA examine rides, that are sensible check, one should bear within the US to obtain an plane pilot’s certification.
“What this younger woman has achieved may be very vital to us and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, and the opposition chief, dignitaries have been there to salute her and to welcome her. I wish to commend her for attaining this greatness and the mere proven fact that the pinnacle of the nation was there, that’s necessary. We should rejoice our personal folks after they go far and past,” he famous. Roache-Lanza, after coaching, joined AA in Fort Price, as a full and skilled pilot.
“It’s a outstanding accomplishment as a result of American Airways fly to Saint Vincent from Miami. It’s a direct flight and one in all two business airways that fly direct from the US. The opposite, Caribbean airways fly direct from JFK to Saint Vincent,” he mentioned, whereas praising the pilot, the spouse of Captain Stewart Lanza, who flies with Western World Airways.
“It ought to under no circumstances be understated, what this younger woman has achieved and the entire nation celebrated together with her. The print newspaper, the digital media, social media, we have been all elated and blissful that we’re seeing somebody who shares our homeland, shares our friendship and household ties.”
“We have been blissful to be there to expertise and witness historical past within the making,” mentioned the diplomat.
