Portlanders Pay Tribute To National Heroes

The people of Portland paid tribute to the country’s National Heroes during the annual Heroes Day Salute held yesterday (October 18) at the Port Antonio square.
The function, held under the national theme: “I believe in Jamaica.. Our People, Our Land, Our Heritage’, was organised by the Portland Office of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC).
It was a festive occasion highlighted by the parade of uniformed groups, featuring the Royal Salute, inspection of the parade, and the march past by the groups, including the police, firefighters, cadets and scouts. Musical support and entertainment were provided by the Port Antonio Marching Band.
Acting Chairman of the Portland Parish Cultural Committee, Maureen Campbell, in her remarks, paid tribute to the National Heroes for the sacrifice they have made for the betterment of the country and its people, and exhorted the audience to ensure that their efforts do not go in vain.
Mayor of Port Antonio, Councillor Floyd Patterson called on the people of Portland to enable the parish and the country to realise the dreams of the National Heroes to make Jamaica an exemplary nation to the rest of the world.
In lamenting the high level of lawlessness and indiscipline, which have been plaguing the society in recent years, the Mayor said it is incumbent on all well-thinking Jamaicans to “wage a relentless struggle” to make the country the kind and caring place it was known to be in the past.
The Governor-General’s message was read by Custos of Portland, Hon. Roy Thompson, while the Prime Minister’s message was read by Deputy Mayor of Port Antonio Councillor Derron Wood, who deputised for Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, and Member of Parliament for Western Portland, Hon. Daryl Vaz.
The message from the Leader of the Opposition was read by Councillor Wayne McKenzie, representing Member of Parliament for Eastern Portland, Dr. Donald Rhodd.