223 Outstanding Jamaicans To Be Honoured October 19

A total of 223 outstanding men and women will be recognised at the National Honours and Awards Ceremony, on National Heroes Day, Monday, October 19, on the lawns of King’s House, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

Heading the list of recipients is Dr. Glenford Christian, OD, who will receive the Order of Jamaica (OJ), for invaluable contribution to the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Seven other persons will be conferred with the Order of Jamaica. They are: Ambassador Derick Roy Heaven, CD, for distinguished service in the Public Sector and sterling leadership provided to the Sugar Industry; Dr. Vincent Getchun Hosang, OD, for philanthropic and dedicated service to Jamaica and the Jamaican Diaspora in New York; Professor Elsa Ann Leo-Rhynie, CD, for  outstanding contribution to Academia; Reverend Dr.  Burchell Knibb Taylor, CD, for distinguished service in the field of Religion locally and internationally; Mr. Denis O’Brien (Honorary), for his sterling contribution to the Telecommunications Industry in Jamaica; Reverend Father Louis Letellier Grenier, SJ, OD, for distinguished service to Religion, Education and Voluntary Service for more than 60 years; and Professor Graham Roger Serjeant, CD, for sterling contribution to Sickle Cell research, locally and internationally.

Other categories include the Order of Distinction (in the rank of Commander [CD] and Officer [OD]; the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service; and the Badge of Honour for Meritorious and Long and Faithful Service.

Some 38 persons will be conferred with the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Commander. Chairman of the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Advisory Board and Veteran Broadcaster, Fae Ellington will be awarded for her sterling contribution to Communication, Media, Education and Culture in this category.

Forty-nine persons will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer, while 33 will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service and 40 other Jamaicans will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

Meanwhile, 50 members of the uniformed service will receive the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service. These include16 Officers from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF); 12 officers of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); 10 officers from the Jamaica Fire Brigade and 12 officers from the Department of Correctional Services.

Dr. Ricard Bennett will be conferred with the Badge of Honour for Gallantry, for displaying an act of heroism and bravery in rendering assistance to his neighbour who was stabbed.

Staff Sergeant Orion Orlando Archat of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF); Warder Omar Anthony Robinson and Warder Andre Richardo Duncan, both of the Department of Correctional Services will be conferred with the Medal of Honour for Gallantry.

The Medal of Honour is awarded to members of the uniformed services who have performed acts of gallantry or acts of heroism or have shown great courage in circumstances of extreme danger.

The ceremony, to be presided over by Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, will be streamed live on the JIS website at: www.jis.gov.jm.

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