THERE were cheers and sporadic rounds of applause throughout the national honours and awards investiture ceremony at King’s House yesterday, but it was the citations for those being awarded for gallantry that evoked the most reaction from the large audience assembled on the sprawling lawns.

When the story about the then 10-year-old Toni-Ann Kacian Miller’s rescue of two young brothers trapped in a burning house in May of last year was recounted, there were more than a few teary eyes.

And as she mounted the platform and shyly acknowledged Governor General Sir Patrick Allen to accept the Badge of Honour for Gallantry for her act of heroism and bravery, the cheers grew. Speaking with the Jamaica Observer after the ceremony, Toni-Ann seemed oblivious to the magnitude of her act of selflessness.

“I was coming from school when I saw the house on fire and went inside for the bigger brother. I then asked him for his little brother and he said he was sleeping on the bed.

So I went back for him in the house and saw him sleeping on the bed and took him out,” she said. Were you afraid to go into the burning house? the Observer asked. “No,” she replied. The audience would later be aroused when Corporal Everton Henry received his medal for gallantry.

The policeman had successfully foiled an attempt by a gunman to disarm a fellow cop. The applause rang out when it was read that the corporal was able to put down the gunman by discharging a single round from his service revolver. The cheers crescendoed when it was later announced that the gunman was pronounced dead at hospital.

A total of 233 people received awards, ranging from the Order of Jamaica (OJ) to the Medal of Honour. The OJ was presented to the Most Reverend Charles Dufour, for religion; Professor Joseph Frederick, for the medical sciences; Senator KD Knight, for law and politics; track coach Glen Mills; human rights advocate Flo O’Connor; and Dr Karl Wellington. Wellington’s son, Dr Max Wellington, collected the award on his father’s behalf.

Noted attorney and human rights advocate, the lateDennis Daly was posthumously conferred with the OJ, while university lecturer Professor Sir Roy Augier was recognised with an honorary OJ. In the rank of Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD), Professor Rupert Lewis, hotelier Chris Issa, politicians Horace Dalley and Ruddy Spencer, and businessman Christopher Zacca were among those awarded.

The fourth estate was also well represented at yesterday’s awards. The Observer’s Executive Editor — Special Assignment Desmond Allen and Senior Associate Editor — Lifestyle and Social Content Novia McDonald-Whyte both received the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD), as did veteran journalists Franklin McKnight and Owen James. Television personality and football coach Neville ‘Bertis’ Bell also received the OD.

Also included in this category were Paralympians Tanto Campbell, Alphanso Cunningham and Sylvia Grant for their contribution to sport; as well as recently installed Commissioner of Police Dr Carl Williams. Meanwhile, American farm owner Joseph Russo received the honorary Badge of Honor for Meritorious Service for his contribution to the employment of Jamaicans through the farm work programme for over 30 years.

Russo told the Observer that he was humbled by the recognition. “I am happy to be a part of a programme which employs so many persons year after year. I am also pleased with the contribution the programme makes to the lives of Jamaicans,” said Russo.