While Dame Lois Browne-Evans will be the only national hero celebrated this June 21, she may be receiving some company next year. Starting next month, the Ministry of Culture and Social Rehabilitation will be asking the public to nominate future heroes to be celebrated on National Heroes' Day.

But while the public gets to suggest who they believe should be considered a hero, the list of nominees will be filtered by a committee before the Cabinet decides who will be honoured.

At a press conference yesterday, Culture Minister Neletha Butterfield said: "The nominations will come from the public. Through those nominations, the committee will make their decision."

The Minister explained that the list of heroes would be cumulative, growing each year that recipients are selected.

She said: "While National Heroes' Day this year will continue to honour the only current recipient, Dame Lois, all designated heroes will be collectively and appropriately honoured each year on the third Monday of June. Once a person is named a national hero, he or she will be a national hero forever."

However, if the Cabinet chooses not to select anyone, or if no one is nominated, Dame Lois could potentially remain the sole national hero. Next month, applications will be made available to the public at the Ministry of Culture's office and website so that anyone will be able to name the people they feel deserve to be national heroes.

Based on a number of criteria, a committee made up of two Government MP's, one Opposition MP, a Government senator and an Opposition senator will review the lists, putting forward its recommendations to the Minister.

The Minister will then produce a report for the Cabinet, who will select those to be honoured. The names of persons selected as a national hero will be released publicly at least four months before National Heroes' Day. A list of those nominated will be released in the last quarter of the year.

Minister Butterfield said: "In promoting National Heroes' Day, Government seeks to develop a populace that is cognisant and proud of contributions made by its heroes, a populous whose level of consciousness is raised about Bermuda's history, heritage and culture."

National Heroes' Day was first announced in 2007, when it was scheduled to replace Bermuda Day. After a public outcry over the loss of a culturally important holiday, Government moved the holiday to October for 2008 and ended the Queen's Birthday holiday in June.

After objections were raised, National Heroes Day was last year moved to the third Monday in June a week after the Queen's Birthday holiday was traditionally celebrated.