Politicians were united in grief and celebration yesterday at a special joint sitting of Parliament.
In the House of Assembly, the normally robust and noisy Chamber was a place of contemplation, as dissent was replaced by solemn reflection.
Even the most steely and tenacious representatives appeared reduced to tears as MPs and Senators paid tribute to Health Minister Nelson Bascome and former PLP MP and lawyer Julian Hall.
The families of both men were also present, as were Mr. Bascome's fraternity brothers and staff from the Department of Health.
Shortly after 10 a.m. the arrival of Speaker of the House Stanley Lowe was followed by prayers and a minute's silence.
Parliamentarians then spoke for four hours, paying tributes and recounting their memories of the two men who gave so much for their country.
There were moments of amusement and laughter, but the mood was overwhelmingly emotional and sombre. Even Speaker Mr. Lowe appeared to find it hard to fight back the tears as he gave his personal tribute to these "members for all seasons".
"Surely their mantra was this 'If I can help somebody today then my living will not be in vain'," said Mr. Lowe.
"I say to the families, that their living has not been in vain. They made their contribution in their short time here on Earth and we shall never forget them."
The special joint sitting of Parliament in honour of Mr. Bascome and Mr. Hall was televised live to the nation. Members of the public were also able to attend a viewing of Mr. Bascome last night at the PLP's Alaska Hall headquarters.
Today (Thursday), the funeral procession will leave Alaska Hall in Court Street at 1 p.m.. It will proceed along Court Street, making a right on to Reid Street and then on to Parliament Street.
The procession will pause outside the Sessions House entrance before continuing in a Slow March up Parliament Street. It will then turn left and travel up Church Street to the Cathedral for the service.
On completion of the service, the procession will travel west along Church Street, turn right on to Cedar Avenue, turn right along Marsh Folly Road and then left into the Pembroke Parish Cemetery for the interment.
