The ordinary and the extraordinary meet at King's House

Marcia Rowe, Gleaner Writer

On the sprawling West Lawn of King's House, located on Hope Road, some prominent Jamaican figures and ordinary citizens gathered last Friday morning for an official Independence Day Ceremony.

It was a ceremony of pomp, precision and a demonstration of respect nicely packaged with samplings of Jamaican musical culture.

The ceremony was preceded by a "Parade Sequence" that began with the uniformed youth groups marching on to the lawns and concluded with the arrival of their Excellencies, The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, governor general, and Lady Allen.

Guests were briefed and reminded that they should stand on the announcement of the arrival of some key officials, including Bruce Golding, prime minister of Jamaica.

The relatively short ceremony began with a prayer by the Most Reverend Donald Reece, who, before asking for blessings on the leaders, asked God for a "true disposition to receive your blessing".

With over 50 years of performance under his belt, Commander John McFarlane gave a classic treatment to the song Jamaica Land of Beauty. He was followed by students from Liberty Learning Centre in Buff Bay, Portland, with their award-winning May Pole Dance.

Precise preformance

Like the uniformed groups and the military bands, the little ones were precise in their actions and movements. They plaited and un-plaited streams of brightly-coloured ribbons on to a pole held firmly by three of their peers.

The display of massed bands was also highly exciting.

Flanked by the Jamaica Constabulary Force, Island Special Constabulary Force, Department of Correctional Services and the Jamaica Fire Brigade, the Jamaica Defence Force showed off their musical power with the playing of Rise Up while making the sunbeam formation.

Ann Marie Laing, 2010 National Gospel Song winner and Delisser, 'Kharuso' McFarlane, 2010 National Festival Song winner performed well.

The programme was completed with Sir Patrick and Golding delivering their Independence messages.

Sir Patrick began his presentation by drawing attention to the beautiful morning and later stated that "Independence day allows us to reflect and renew on the task of nation building'; while Golding remarked that the dream of independence is renewed and refreshed each time a Jamaican child comes into the world.

Concluding his message, the prime minister said, "The spirit of independence can never die."

Robert Pickersgil, representing the leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller, read her message. Independence captures the dream, but should not be seen as a single event, was part of what was communicated in Simpson Miller's message.