Grenadian Martin Clement, MBE celebrates his 95th birthday

Family, friends, supporters, and associates on Sunday, Jan. 12, celebrated the 95th birthday of a great son of the Grenadian soil, Martin Danny Clement, MBE (Member of the British Empire), during a gala ceremony at St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus on Hempstead Avenue in Lynbrook, Long Is.

The celebratory event also marked the 66th wedding anniversary of Clement and his wife, Margaret. The Clements currently reside in Roosevelt, in the Town of Hempstead, Nassau County, Long Is.

Martin Clement, who hails from Petite Martinique, the smaller of Grenada’s two sister islands—the other is Carriacou—has had a distinguished career as a teacher at Petite Martinique Roman Catholic School, a principal at L’Esterre Rosary School, and a tutor at the Grenada Teachers’ College.

After the United States invaded Grenada in 1983, Clement served as the district officer for Carriacou and Petite Martinique in Prime Minister Sir Nicholas Brathwaite’s administration.
Clement, the author of “On Land and Sea: A Life of Service, Martin D. Clement, MBE, An Autobiography,” attended Cambridge University in the United Kingdom and the University of the West Indies.

“Thank you all for joining us today as we celebrate a truly remarkable milestone – our father’s 95th birthday, 95 years of love, wisdom, and memories.” Clement’s fifth of 12 children and fourth son, Dr. Paul Clement, a professor of economics at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), State University of New York (SUNY), who served as Master of Ceremonies, told celebrants.

“Tonight, we honor not just a long life but a life lived with purpose, kindness, and heart,” he added. Tonight, we also honor our mother, Maylive Margaret, the real force alongside Dad’s 95 years — the mother who made sure we all sat around the table to do our schoolwork. She deserves an honorary doctorate for making sure our education comes first.

“Dad, you are the cornerstone of our family, the embodiment of love and strength,” Dr. Clement continued. “You’ve taught me, and all of us, so much — not just through your words, but through your actions.

“From the very beginning, you’ve shown us what it means to love deeply and live with honesty and integrity,” he said. “I know you and mom must be proud of the success of every one of your children. Their efforts have significantly elevated Grenada’s standing across various sectors, including revolutionizing transportation in Grenada by introducing highspeed ferry service, reshaping mobility, and the daily life of the people of Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique.”

Dr. Clement said his father’s wisdom and intelligence continue to inspire all his children.
“People ask, ‘Where did your children get their business sense from?’ What they do not know is that we learned from you and Mom’s everyday household economics,” he said. “The division of labor was clear: some baked bread, others milked goats, fed chickens, or planted lettuce, while some washed pig pens.

“But let’s not forget Dad’s sense of humor,” Dr. Clement added. “Even at 95, he still knows how to bring laughter into any room. His clever jokes keep us smiling, reminding us of the joy in life’s simple moments.

“But, perhaps, what we admire most about you, Dad, is your resilience,” he continued. “You’ve faced life’s ups and downs with grace and strength. You’ve shown us how to overcome obstacles, how to keep going even when times are tough, and how to remain hopeful and optimistic no matter what.”

Dr. Clement said that when Carriacou and Petite Martinique needed his father the most, he “stepped up and delivered,” vividly remembering when he accompanied his dad to Prime Minister Braithwaite’s house shortly after the US invasion of Grenada, “where you accepted the role of district officer for Carriacou and Petite Martinique and had to depart the very next day.

“As a teenager, I had to attach a white flag to the car antenna and drive you over the Grand Etang Hills to Pearls Airport, Grenada’s only airport at the time,” recalled Dr. Clement, stating that, since fighting was still ongoing in the area, “the white flag, a universally recognized symbol of truce and a request for a ceasefire, provided us with protection under the rules of war outlined by the Geneva Convention.

“Today, we celebrate you, Dad – not just for reaching this incredible milestone but for the legacy of love, wisdom, and joy you’ve built over the years,” Dr. Clement added. “You’ve touched so many lives, everyone here tonight, and we’re all better off knowing you. You are the best dad anyone could ever ask for.

“We love you deeply and celebrate you with all our hearts,” he continued. “Happy 95th birthday, dad!”
Clement’s second son, Andrew Clement, a custodian engineer, said tersely: “We’re here to celebrate the birthday of a special person at 95 years old.

“He’s lived a full life,” he said. “He always worked hard. Besides teaching jobs, he always had side jobs.
“He instilled in us hard work and education,” Andrew Clement added. “Our family is happy to have you as our dad.”

Family member Matilda Bethel, affectionately called “Auntie Mattie,” said she was gratified to celebrate with Clement.
“The best family I ever met was my sister and her husband,” she said. “They made you happy when you saw them.

“May the good Lord bless you!” added “Auntie Mattie,” turning to Clement. “We want to see you live to 105.”
Another family member, Natasha Sandy, a medical doctor, said she also traveled from Maryland and was very happy to be part of the celebration.

“I feel connected to you,” she said. “It’s beautiful to see so many of you. I’m deeply grateful to each of you for making this possible.”
Anthony Parke, a former secondary school principal in Grenada, said Clement taught him “how to read.”

“He was the kind of person who wanted you to do better,” he said. “I want him to know not just what he did for me but for all who passed through the Grenada Teachers’ College.
“God’s blessings, Mr. Clement,” he added. “I know you love cricket. I want you to continue batting and, in five years, I hope you’re around for a well-deserved century.”

Clement said he was “deeply grateful to each of you for making this moment possible – family, friends and loved ones alike.
“It is both a joy and an honor to reach 95 years,” he said. “As I reflect on these 95 years, I feel truly blessed to have a life filled with cherished memories shaped by the incredible people who have been part of my journey.

“To my family, you are my greatest joy. Thank you for your unwavering love, patience, and the countless ways you’ve supported me over the years,” he added. “I am profoundly thankful to have lived a life surrounded by such boundless love and kindness.”

Clement said he was “deeply grateful” to his beloved wife, “who has stood by my side for 66 wonderful years of marriage.
“Her prayers, calmness, patience, contentment, and tireless efforts have been a source of strength and inspiration,” he said. “At times, I thought I had married a nun (laughter).  But, on a serious note, I often prayed to God for a blessed partner, and He answered my prayers.”
Besides all his wife’s great qualities, Clement said, “her devotion to my dear mother was outstanding.

“She took care of my mother as if she was her own mother – with love, care, patience, devotion – and I adored her for that,” he said. “Therefore, I hope that my children will learn from her example.

“To my beloved in-laws, you have all helped me reach this age of 95.  Your support in various ways, your togetherness, your helpfulness, your advice, your spirituality, your joyfulness, and, name it, we were blessed to have you,” Clement added.

“It feels truly heartwarming to be surrounded by so much love tonight,” he continued, stating that he “wouldn’t feel complete” if he didn’t take a moment to thank the people who have supported him along his journey to reach 95.

Clement said that though he was born in Petite Martinique, his life took him to Carriacou and Grenada, where neighbors warmly welcomed his family.
“They all made us feel at home, and we enjoyed decades of living in harmony without a single conflict or disagreement,” he said. “These kind and generous people played a significant role in helping me reach this historic milestone of 95 years.”

Clement also acknowledged the warm welcome he received from neighbors and friends on migrating to the United States.
“Truly, I have lived a rich and fulfilling life, surrounded by incredible friends and family,” he said. To my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, I offer my heartfelt thanks and wish you the best of health and happiness.

“Always cherish the values of honesty, respect, humility, integrity, kindness, resilience, strong character and generosity,” Clement added. “Remember, challenges and setbacks are a natural part of life, but how you respond to them shapes your growth and defines your journey.”