‘Heroes’ shine at 2006 National Awards
HIS name was originally left off the list of 113 Jamaicans who yesterday received National Awards, and who had more time to prepare for the pomp and pageantry that unfolded on the lawns of King’s House.
But when Justice Paul Theodore Harrison’s name was called yesterday, it was to accept the country’s fourth-highest national honour – the Order of Jamaica. He was one of six people on whom the honour was conferred. The other five were: Dr Rae Davis, CD, for his contribution to education; Ray Hadeed, CD, for service to manufacturing; Beverley Lopez, CD, for private sector leadership; Neville ‘Teddy’ McCook, CD, for service to sports; and Professor Owen Morgan, CD, for services in the fields of medicine and medical education at home and abroad.
Justice Harrison, CD, was recognised for services to the Jamaican judiciary.
Harrison’s name was added to the list of 2006 recipients only a few weeks ago, after Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall – acting on the advice of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller – conferred two additional honours, bringing the list to 115. Hugh Wavel Maitland-Walker’s name was also added to the list for services to the tourism sector.
Yesterday, Maitland-Walker was conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander Class.
Jamaicans from all walks of life gathered to celebrate and pay tribute to those who were recognised for their contributions to national development.
However, the people who received the greatest applause from the audience yesterday were the three who received the Badge of Honour for Gallantry. They were:
. Harold Bailey, who in 1953 swam out to a crashed plane on the ocean side of the Palisadoes Peninsula and rescued the sole survivor;
. Marcia Bailey, who single-handedly disarmed a gunman who broke into her house and attacked her family; and
. Dahlia Dumont, who rescued her two children from a burning building.
The audience also loudly applauded Christine Francis, the wife of slain policeman Constable Michael Anthony Francis.
Francis, who was killed in the line of duty after responding to a call that a 15-year-old girl was being held for a $100,000 ransom within a community in Portmore, was posthumously awarded for gallantry, along with other members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
Posing as a member of the family, Francis went to exchange the money for the young girl but was fatally shot. However, two of the hoodlums were also killed and the young girl successfully returned to her family.
Other members of constabulary receiving badges of Honour For Gallantry were Sergeant Andrew Nish, Constable Damian Edwards and Constable Mitchell Gordon.
Additionally, 32 Jamaicans were conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD). Among them were Keith ‘Bob Andy’ Anderson, for his contribution to the development of Reggae music; Dr Kenrick Barrow, for services to medicine and medical education; Kenneth Benjamin, for contribution to business and entrepreneur-ship; Dr Patrick Allen, for services to religion, education and social welfare; Dr William Foster, for voluntary service to Jamaican children in the field of open-heart surgery; Police Commissioner Lucius Thomas, for nation building and contributing to public safety; Kent Pantry, for his services to the legal profession; and Dr Herbert Thompson, for contributions to national development through education, religion and national service.
The Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD) went to 43 Jamaicans, including Wesley Barrett; athletics coach Steven Francis; musician and singer Boris Gardiner; veteran record producer Lloyd ‘King Jammy’ James; sportsmen Neville Myton and Renford Pinnock; Lorenzo ‘Jeff’ McKitty for his contribution to tourism, and singer Glenroy ‘Ernie’ Smith.
Ten people were awarded the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, while 21 people received the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.
A total of 85 awards were also conferred by the governor-general upon officers from the Jamaica Constabulary Force, the Jamaica Defence Force, the Island Special Constabulary Force, the Department of Correctional Services and the Jamaica Fire Brigade.