President Obama Pays Respect to Fallen Soldiers

It was a solemn moment at the National Heroes Park in Kingston today (April 9) as President of the United States (US), Barack Obama, laid a wreath at the Cenotaph, the monument erected in honour of the thousands of Jamaicans, who died in World Wars I and II.

President Obama, who arrived at the park at approximately 4:40 p.m., was greeted by a delegation headed by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller.

Others in attendance were: Minister of National Security, Hon. Peter Bunting; Minister of Education, Rev. Hon. Ronald Thwaites; Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness; Custos of Kingston, Steadman Fuller; Custos of St. Andrew, Donna Parchment; Chief of State Protocol, Elinor Felix; Commanding Officer 3JR Lt. Col. Winston Walcott; President, Royal Air Forces Association, Major General Robert Neish (Ret’d); and Chairman, Jamaica Legion, Major Torrance Lewis (Ret’d).

The US President shared a special moment with World War veterans, Major Victor Leslie Beek, and Earl Barrington Beckford, thanking them for their service.

He then laid a wreath at the base of the World War monument, which has the inscription: “In memory of the men who fell in the great war. Their name liveth for evermore.”

The brief wreath laying ceremony was the final engagement for the President before departing the island for the Summit of the Americas in Panama.

The President, who arrived in the island last evening, engaged in a number of activities including bilateral talks with the Jamaican Government; CARICOM-US Summit at the University of the West Indies, Regional Headquarters; and a Youth Forum at the University of the West Indies.

He also made an unannounced visit to the Bob Marley Museum.