By Betty Vedrine, Guardian Senior Reporter

In what can only be deemed the first of its kind, a group of fathers have gathered together to organize a national rally and recognition service for fathers and sons. The recognition service is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 5, at New Covenant Baptist Church on Independence Drive. And the father/son rally is slated for Sunday, June 8 on Clifford Park. The events have been synchronized to commemorate the upcoming Father's Day.

"These events are scheduled as a way to restore fathers to their rightful positions. Right now, the men are out of place, the women are misplaced and the children are displaced," said Bishop Simeon Hall, who serves as co-chair of the event.

According to him, a group of fathers from various sectors of the community have been meeting for the past seven weeks to plan this national father/Son day. "Included on the committee are: Jerome Gomez, Clever Duncombe, Gary Russell, Roney Armbrister and pastors Dean Wells, Lorenza Clarke, Lyall Bethel, Rhinehart Pearson and Carlton Turner." Hall, along will Member of Parliament for South Andros, Picewell Forbes, will service as co-chairpersons.

The committee will partner with radio station Gems 105.9 FM to host the events.

Hall said that the events have a three-fold rationale. "This national day and recognition service will serve to give proper emphasis to the biblical role of fathers as priests, providers and protectors," said Hall. In addition, he said, it will be an opportunity for the community to restore the image of the father figure to its rightful place in the family, and also to celebrate those fathers who have been outstanding in different areas of our national life.

At the service of recognition, outstanding fathers will be recognized in a variety of areas including community involvement, education, politics, religion and spirituality, philanthropy, business, entertainment and sports. In addition, selected fathers will receive lifetime achievement awards. "This will be similar to the current 'mother of the year award," said Hall. "Only this time, it would be a lifetime award for the 'father of the year." This service will be opened to fathers and their families.

Organizers anticipate that over one thousand father will participate in the rally. "This will be the opportunity for fathers with their sons to make affirmation to each other, which is badly needed in our country today."

These events come on the heels of a wave of crime among young Bahamian males under the age of thirty. Hall said that the committee is optimistic that events such as these will start the ball rolling to improve the status quo. "We believe that all of the crime that is taking place today is directly linked with the 'missing father'. It is our hope that these types of events will bring fathers back home to raise their boys and help them to more positively contribute to the community."

According to Hall, 60 percent of inmates at her Majesty's Prison are the products of single-family homes, run by single mothers. Hall said that while he is not casting blame on mothers, he believes that the time has come for fathers to do their part. "We are never going to get a better society until we get fathers performing at a better level."