Jamaicans to be Honoured on October 17

A total of 200 Jamaicans will be recognised at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Monday, October 17, National Heroes Day, on the lawns of King’s House, starting at 9:00 a.m.

These civil honours may be conferred on any distinguished citizen of Jamaica or another country, who has achieved eminent local or international distinction in areas including science, the arts, and literature, among others.

Heading the list of recipients is former Member of Parliament, Dr. Kenneth Leo O’Neil Baugh, who will receive the fifth highest award, the Order of Jamaica (OJ), for distinguished service to Parliament, public service and for his contribution to the field of Medicine.

The Order of Jamaica will also be conferred on Dr. David Wayne Boxer, CD, for his invaluable contribution to the National Gallery of Jamaica and the development of the Arts; Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, CD, for outstanding and distinguished advocacy for senior citizens in the fields of Health and Welfare; Professor Renn Osmond Holness, for outstanding contribution in the field of Medicine, in particular Neurosurgery; and Ambassador Anthony Smith Rowe Johnson for distinguished national service in the public and private sectors and for his contribution to Jamaica’s Foreign Service.

Other categories of national honours include the Order of Distinction (in the rank of Commander [CD] and Officer [OD]); the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service; the Badge of Honour for Meritorious and Long and Faithful Service; the Medal of Honour for Gallantry; the Badge of Honour for Gallantry and the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service. Thirty-three persons will be conferred with the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Commander (CD); 46 will receive the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Officer (OD); two civilians will receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry; 16 individuals will be conferred with the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service and 37 will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

The Badge of Honour for Gallantry is conferred upon persons who performed acts of gallantry or heroism or who have shown great courage in circumstances of extreme danger.

Members of the uniformed service will also be recognised, with 11 members from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), 12 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), 16 from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) and 13 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) receiving the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.

In addition, seven members of the JCF and one member from the DCS will be conferred with the Medal of Honour for Gallantry.

Under the National Honours and Awards Act, promulgated on July 18, 1969, provision is made for those outstanding Jamaicans to be conferred with one of the honours of the Orders of the six Societies of Honour. The ceremony will be presided over by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.

Guests attending the function should be seated by 8:30 a.m.