Eight Citizens of Westmoreland Honoured on National Heroes Day

Eight citizens of Westmoreland were recognised for outstanding contributions to the parish during the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation’s Heroes’ Day Salute and Awards Ceremony on Monday (October 21).

The event, which was held at Norman Square in Savanna-la-Mar, was hosted in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) under the theme ‘One Love, One People, One Heritage’.

It was among the slated activities commemorating National Heroes Day across the parish.

The awardees were recognised in the areas of business, culture, education, gallantry, politics and religion.

In his address during the ceremony, Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar, Councillor Danree Delancy, who congratulated the honourees, noted that “while we celebrate our National Heroes, we [are] also celebrating our local heroes”.

“Our beautiful parish of Westmoreland, indeed, has several persons that we could call our local heroes, and our local heroes should always be celebrated,” he pointed out.

The Mayor encouraged residents to identify and suggest other persons in the parish deemed unsung heroes, who could be considered for future recognition.

Meanwhile, Councillor Delancy underscored the importance of persons showing love for and empathy towards fellow citizens.

He noted that they must do so while “being able to say when we are wrong, that we are sorry, and being able to forgive those who have wronged us”.

“If we cannot say we are sorry and we cannot forgive when someone wrongs us, then, indeed, we are not showing love. I would like for us to really reflect on this theme as we go through the rest of this week, as we go through the rest of this year. Just show some love, while recognising that we are one people,” Councillor Delancy underscored.

During the ceremony, Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen’s National Heroes’ Day message was delivered by Custos Rotulorum for Westmoreland, Hon. Canon Hartley Perrin.

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness’ message was delivered by Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Western, Morland Wilson, while Opposition Leader, Mark Golding’s message was read by Westmoreland Central caretaker/candidate, Dwayne Vaz.