'Remember value of Heroes Day'

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:Opposition leader Andrew Holness has said residents of St James need to show greater respect and appreciation for those who helped to shape our nation, in the address he penned for Monday's National Heroes Day celebration in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.

"I urge all Jamaicans not to limit their focus on National Heroes Day as just a public holiday with the freedom to rest or have fun," said Holness, in his message, which was read by the Jamaica Labour Party's caretaker for Central St James Heroy Clarke. "We need to remember the historical value of the day."

Operating under the theme: A Nation on a Mission - Our Heritage ... The Foundation, the St James Parish Council in collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, honoured seven outstanding individuals in St James for their service in journalism, sports, community service, tourism and education.

The Sam Sharpe awardees were: Clinton Chin, Pauline Downer, Cleopatra Eubanks, Mavis Holt, Gloria Meredith, Paul Reid and the Ahhh - Ras Natango Gallery and Garden.

In his address, Montego Bay's Mayor, Councillor Glendon Harris, said that as Jamaica celebrates its heritage, citizens must seriously take charge of national development because the mission to success still continues.

much more to be done

"I appeal to us all to join forces and stand up like our own Cudjoe of the Maroons and daddy Sharpe against the abuse of our most vulnerable," said Councillor Harris. "Recent events in St James and in western Jamaica have highlighted the fact that there is much more to be done in protecting the vulnerable.

"The small percentage that are perpetrators of crime are our enemies and must be stopped" the mayor added.

In her message, which was read by Minister of Labour and Social Security Derrick Kellier, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said the nation needs an injection of patriotism in its bid for to survival.

"Jamaica still needs individuals, who are conscious of the fact that no society can survive without a cadre of patriotic citizens, who have evolved beyond their own personal needs," the prime minister said. "These contemporary patriots, men and women are the glue that holds our society together. They can be found scattered across the Jamaican landscape and in every community."