R 267
2022 -- H 8200
Enacted 05/03/2022

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MAY 10TH OF 2022, AS "HMBS FLAMINGO DAY OF REMEMBRANCE" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Azzinaro, Blazejewski, Filippi, Kennedy, Cardillo, C Lima, Vella-Wilkinson, Fellela, and Ackerman

Date Introduced: May 03, 2022

     WHEREAS, The Commonwealth of The Bahamas and the Royal Bahamas Defence
Force have shared a partnership with the State of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island National
Guard as members of the United States Department of Defense State Partnership Program since
2005; and
     WHEREAS, The HBMS Flamingo, under the command of Commander Amos Rolle,
departed Coral Harbour Base on May 8, 1980, for a ten-day patrol of Bahamian territorial waters;
and
     WHEREAS, On May 10, 1980, the HMBS Flamingo, with 19 souls onboard, was fired
upon and sunk after attempting to arrest fishing vessels for poaching in Bahamian waters; and
     WHEREAS, The lives of the four Royal Bahamas Defence Force Marines that were lost
include Able Seaman Fenrick Sturrup, Marine Seaman Austin Rudolph Smith, Marine Seaman
David Allison Tucker, and Marine Seaman Edward Arnold Williams; and
     WHEREAS, It is vital to remember those who lost their lives and likewise important to
pay tribute to the descendants and survivors of the HMBS Flamingo; and
     WHEREAS, This year marks the 42nd Anniversary of the sinking of the HMBS
Flamingo. We must never forget the lives lost and that our partnership is symbolic of the peace
sought throughout the world; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
declares May 10, 2022, as "HMBS Flamingo Day of Remembrance" in the State of Rhode Island
in solidarity with our partners the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Commonwealth of The
Bahamas; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Rebecca J. Gard, CPT US Army NG RIARNG
(USA).
========
LC005892
========