Happy 4th of July

Even if you've never been to the United States embassy before Friday, July 2, the chargé d'affaires, Isiah Parnell, and family, made you feel like you were at home.

But this time, guests were not there for a visa. They were welcomed to the Old Hope Road-based complex for the 234th anniversary of US independence celebrations (a couple of days early), so all T's were crossed and I's dotted. The embassy staff got out the red, white and blue decorations and even though there was an early afternoon rain (it was like a storm in some parts of the Corporate Area), that would not stop the show, as the spacious and ultra-comfortable atrium was very sufficient.

Two rousing anthem renditions (Jamaica's Rory Baugh and Parnell's own daughter, Whitney, doing the honours, and admirably so), the chargé said that, like Jamaicans, he was also proud of the sacrifice of his forefathers. He said that both people shared admirable principles, including certain rights and the belief that all men are created equal. He gave a thumbs up to the local armed forces for their recent initiatives, while mentioning his own country's armed forces and their duties overseas. He pointed to the various areas of cooperation - from exchange students to bilateral agreements -before toasting both democracie s, with National Security Minister Dwight Nelson representing the Government. Harold Davis and Friends took care of the musical duties as guests mingled for the rest of the evening.

Guests out included Senegalese Ambassador Dr Nafissatou Diagne, Brazilian Ambassador Alexandre Gueiros, French Ambassador Marc-Olivier Gendry, Justice Minister Dorothy Lightbourne, Dr Karen Hilliard, Robert MacMillan, Michelle Wilson-Reynolds, Ambassador Maxine Roberts and sister Valerie, Andrew Issa, Allison Peart, Richard and Dianne Stewart, Marisa Benain, Madai Hernandez and Marcelo Munoz, Ramon and Deidre Corvera, Dr Patricia Holness, Jennifer Lim, Dawn Green, Commander John McFarlane, Tony Lindo and Vivian Crawford.