Floral Tributes to the National Heroes

Governor-General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, headed the list of officials who paid floral tributes to the country’s seven National Heroes on October 19 (National Heroes Day).
The ceremony, which was held at National Heroes Park, was interspersed with the playing of patriotic songs by the Jamaica Military Band.
Also laying flowers were Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding; Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Chen Jinghua; top Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) student for 2009, Jabari Hastings, and 2009 matriculant of the University of the West Indies, Kerri-Ann Allen.
Following the floral tributes, guests were entertained by students from several High Schools, who performed cultural items.

Prime Minister the Hon. Bruce Golding places flowers at the shrine of National Hero, The Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante, in National Heroes Park, on October 19 (National Heroes Day).

The Papine High School Choir performed an upbeat rendition of the songs, ‘Welcome to Jamrock’ and ‘Lion Paw’, while students from Clan Carthy High School performed their entertaining dub poem , ‘A Fi Wi Roots’.
Milton Foster, a student of the Mona Preparatory School, who gave an energetic rendition of Bob Marley’s ‘Could You Be Loved’; and Toni-Ann Boyd of Marymount High School, who recited a poem, ‘Black Woman Smile’, received thunderous applause from the audience after their performances.
Also performing were the Jamaica Folk Singers, the Eltham High School Dance Troupe, and the La Blacha dance group.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Hon. Olivia Grange, who gave closing remarks, encouraged Jamaicans to remember their heritage.
“We are a talented people, we are rich in culture and we have a lot to be proud of,” the Minister said.