Westmoreland Celebrates Heroes

Nine persons from Westmoreland, who have given outstanding and meritorious services to the parish, were presented with accolades and plaques at the National Heroes’ Day Salute at Norman Square, Savanna-la-Mar, Monday (October 19).
The recipients were: Constable Boris Whyte, Astil Gage, Yvonne Baker and Merle Brissett, for community development; Ura Welch and Hortense James for contributions to education; Chester Myrie for contribution to business; Reneita Wood for culture; and Russell Hammond for outstanding work in the field of politics.

Acting Custos of Westmoreland, Justice Barbara Stewart, takes the salute during the March Past at the National Heroes’ Day Civic Ceremony in Savanna-la-Mar on Monday (October 19).

Hundreds of persons participated in the ceremony, held under the theme, “Believe in Jamaica … Embracing our Heritage”. They included students and members of uniformed groups and marching bands who gave fitting salutes to the seven National Heroes.
The National Heroes Day Message from the Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding, was read by Attorney-at-Law, Don Foote,the Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) caretaker for East Westmoreland.
“Today, we honour the heroes of our land. We celebrate, in particular, the lives and accomplishments of the six men and one woman we have declared as our National Heroes. Theirs was a vision that saw in us and for us, what we may not have been able to see ourselves. Theirs was the courage that challenged all obstacles and conquered all fear. Theirs was a loyalty and dedication to their people that knew no bounds. Theirs is a legacy that now and forever belongs to us,” the Prime Minister said.

Westmoreland Heroes Day honouree, Reneita Wood (right), receiving a plaque from Miss Westmoreland Festival Queen 2009 Chevonese Hutchinson , for outstanding and meritorious service to the parish in the field of culture at the National Heroes’ Day Civic Ceremony in Savanna-la-Mar on Monday (October 19).

The Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, in his message read by Justice Barbara Stewart, said that the euphoria that exploded during the 2008 Olympic Games and the 2009 IAAF World Championships was reminiscent of the times when Jamaicans displayed pride, care and belief in their country.
“Our achievements are not only marked by a day in history, it is something that we should maintain in our hearts and minds to keep us going through difficult and turbulent times,” the Governor- General urged.

A member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) lays a wreath in tribute to one of Jamaica’s National Heroes during the Heroes’ Day Civic Ceremony at Norman Square, Savanna-la-Mar on Monday (October 19).

The message from the Leader of the Opposition, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, was read by Member of Parliament for Eastern Westmoreland, Luther Buchanan.
“Let us recapture that courage, determination and resilience of our heroes. The theme, ‘Believe in Jamaica … Embracing our heritage’ is a fitting call to a consciousness about who we are, our capacity to overcome and our ability to remain triumphant, proud and free,” Mrs. Simpson Miller stated in her message.