Nation Builders Grateful for National Awards

A spirit of gratitude and pride permeated the air as Jamaicans from all walks of life received national awards on Monday (Oct. 21) for contribution to nation building.

Held at the National Indoor Sports Centre in Kingston this year, due to inclement weather conditions, the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards saw over 200 persons being recognised for dedicated service in various fields.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, who received the nation’s fourth highest honour, the Order of Jamaica (OJ) for contribution to public service, said he has no regrets about his years of service to his country.

“I will do it again. To receive recognition from your country, after many years, it is invaluable and I will treasure it,” he said in an interview with JIS News.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, who was also conferred with the OJ, said his 45 years of public service has brought him joy and a sense of achievement.

He noted that over 10,000 young people have been empowered to serve in various professions through his education programmes in the two constituencies that he has served as Member of Parliament.

“Human development is the most satisfying part of my career achievements,” he said.

Another OJ recipient, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks, dedicated her award to her parents, along with persons in the public and private sectors, who have supported her journey.

She was recognised for outstanding service to the Government and people of Jamaica in economic development, promotion of social development enterprises and nation building.

“For Jamaica to get to the next level, we need more innovators and more entrepreneurs and when you get an award like this, it is also for persons who supported you,” Ambassador Marks said.

Professor Wendel Dwight Abel, who was conferred with the OJ for his contribution to Psychiatry, particularly in mental and community health, said he accepted the award with a “sense of pride and humility”.

“To serve one’s country is the greatest honour and I have been privileged to serve this country,” he told JIS News.

Other OJ recipients are Businessman, Gary Craig “Butch” Hendrickson; former Custos of Clarendon, William Leon “Billy” Shagoury; Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) Chairman, Lyttleton Ovel “Tanny” Shirley; and Chief Executive Officer of the GraceKennedy Group, Senator Donald George Wehby.

Meanwhile, Donald Moore, who received the Order of Distinction (Officer rank) for his outstanding contribution to the housing construction industry, dedicated his award to “my major role model,” his late father.

He said that witnessing people become homeowners brings him satisfaction.

“It is an invaluable experience,” he told JIS News.

Entertainer Nadine Sutherland, who was inducted into the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer, said it was a moment to be thankful to her ancestors, her parents, and reggae icons, Bob and Rita Marley.

Glendon Orville “Admiral Bailey” Bailey, also received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer. He said he has put a lot of work into his craft, and “I have no regrets.”

Thirty persons were conferred with the Order of Distinction (in the rank of Commander [CD]; 38, the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer [OD]; two civilians received the Badge of Honour for Gallantry {BH(G)}; 35, the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service {BH(M)}; and 35, the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

Scores of members of the uniformed groups received the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service – six from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF); 26 members from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF); 27 from the Department of Correctional Services (DCS); and 24 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB).

The late Constable Ricardo Nicolas, who lost his life after bravely confronting an armed gunman during a shootout, received the Medal of Honour for Gallantry, posthumously.

The Right Rev. Professor Randolph Alphanso Henry and Jermaine Ricardo Hurst, received the Badge of Honour for Gallantry on the Civil Honours List for demonstrating remarkable courage in helping persons in life-threatening situations.

The ceremony was presided over by Governor-General and Chancellor of the Orders of the Societies of Honour, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen.