Westmoreland Honours Heroes

MONTEGO BAY — Seven 'local heroes' who had made outstanding contributions to the development of Westmoreland, were showered with accolades and awards at the parish's National Heroes' Day salute in Norman Square, Savanna-La-Mar, on Monday, October 17.

At the Civic Ceremony, attended by hundreds of residents from across the parish, homage was paid to The Very Reverend Canon Hartley D. Perrin for religion, Francis Grant, education, Gashmore Malcolm, security, Aaron Lawrence, sports and Carmen Hibbert Vanriel, Mary Campbell and Winston Wellington, for community development.

In the usual spirit of enthusiasm and participation, adults and youths from various communities and uniformed groups were fully engrossed in the programme for the day. The students played an integral role in the quality of the ceremony, as they made outstanding presentations in song and dance in saluting the national and local heroes.

A well put-together choir from the Savanna-La-Mar Primary School did a ‘professional’ job in harmonizing in the song used as a ‘backdrop’ to the salute to the National Heroes, entitled ‘Forward Forever United’, which was appreciated by the gathering.

They were followed by a cabaret performance of, “Many Rivers to Cross”, by singer Trevor Daley, fittingly preparing participants for the presentation of citations and awards to local heroes and heroines, the high point of the ceremony.

Mr. Lawrence, former “Reggae Boyz” goalkeeper and sports enthusiasts, was recognized for outstanding and meritorious contribution to the development of the parish. The citation, read by Simone Smith Parkins, hailed him for contributing to the development of the national and parish football programmes.

The citation said he dedicated himself to “the guidance and scaffolding of the youths in becoming positive and well-rounded characters”. His experience includes: national goalkeeper, Reggae Boys, 1989 – 2007 and national goalkeeper, Jamaica National U23 and U16 teams (1987 – 1989).

He was also involved in various community sports programmes, including the SOS Children’s Village’s Stony Hill and Rose Hall Camp (since 2002), and the Aaron Lawrence Summer Football Camp at Mannings High School (since 2005).

The ceremony was organized by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), in association with the Westmoreland Heritage Week Committee.

By Glenis Rose, JIS Reporter