Today is being celebrated as National Heroes Day in Jamaica.
It's when we remember our seven (7) national heroes and their struggles to either free ordinary Jamaicans from slavery, bring Jamaica into nationhood, or enable the recognition of the rights of the ordinary Jamaican worker.
...Heroes like Sir Alexander Bustamante, Norman Washington Manley, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, Sam Sharpe, Marcus Garvey, and our sole heroine - Nanny of the Maroons.
Heroes Day is also the day when national honours are bestowed upon Jamaicans who've done exemplary work in their communities and in service to Jamaica.
Some of the more prominent honorees, today, were:
Order of Jamaica
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Dr. (Jennifer) Carloyn Gomes - Order of Jamaica for outstanding contribution to Human Rights Advocacy
(Dr. Gomes left her medical practice to concentrate on ensuring the rights of ordinary Jamaicans - Just like how her great-great-grand uncle - our national hero - George William Gordon, protected the rights of ordinary Jamaicans back in the 1850's -1860's).
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Usain Bolt - Order of Jamaica for outstanding achievements in the field of athletics.
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Dr. Mavis Gwendolyn Gillmore Peterson, CD - Order of Jamaica for outstanding contribution to Politics and Medicine.
[This lady was a great Minister of Education in her time...a thinker, a strategist and a woman who I have a lot of admiration for...May Andrew Holness (our current Minister of Education) thrive to walk in her footsteps].
Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD)
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Mr. Ian Boyne - order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) for contribution to the field of Journalism
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Pamela Holness - order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) for dedicated Public Service.
[This lady is quite a controversial figure in Jamaica.
She's the head of the Registrar General's Department (they issue birth, death and marriage certificates in Jamaica) and I'm sure famed Talk Show host and journalist - Wilmot Perkins and other Jamaicans who have had particular difficulties with this department, would vehemently disagree that she has served the Jamaican public well.
(But she gets her honour...let's wish her well)].
Continuing....
Badge of Honour for Gallantry
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Mr Colin Anthony FOSTER - for his courage in saving the life of his bed-ridden Great-Grandmother when their house was completely destroyed by fire on December 6, 2006
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Dr Warren Sheldon JENGELLEY - for rendering assistance in the recovery of victims of the tragic motor vehicle accident in the Rio Grande Valley, Portland on December 19, 2008
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Mr Kareem Kristopher LAWSON - for his courage in saving the lives of two adults after their car plunged into the Rio Cobre on April 19, 2008
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Mr Winston Donnavan QUEST - for his bravery in rescuing a family of four from drowning in the Discovery Bay area on August 12, 2008
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Mr Jermaine Martin SELVIN - for his courage in saving the lives of two adults after their car plunged into the Rio Cobre on April 19, 2008
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Mr Erick Kenpatrick SPENCE- for rescuing victims of the motor vehicle accident in the Rio Grande Valley, Portland in December 2008, by risking his own life
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Mr Orett Barrington WILLIAMS - for his courage in attempting to save the lives of three boys who were drowning in the sea behind the old Sardine Factory in early 2008. Mr Williams tried desperately but was only able to save the lives of two of the boys because the third boy was too far out.
GWAP has always sought to recognize this particular category - due to the unselfish way in which the honorees in this category, risked their lives to save that of a fellow human being, who were oftentimes, strangers to them.
The full list of all honorees can be found at National Civil Honors and Awards 2009 - website of the Office of the Prime Minister (Government of Jamaica).
Gillian
Sources Include
1) Television Jamaica's coverage of the National Honours and Awards Ceremony, October 19, 2009
2) National Civil Honors and Awards 2009 - website of the Office of the Prime Minister, September 2009
