By Trudy Simpson, Staff ReporterPRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson failed to show for yesterday's National Honours and Awards ceremony but this did not stop the yearly pomp and pageantry that accompanied the ceremony, held at Kings House in St. Andrew.
Reports indicated Mr. Patterson missed the ceremony because of ill health but his press secretary, Huntley Medley said the Prime Minister stayed away because he had a problem with his voice and needed to rest up for other engagements.
"He has been doing a lot of speaking. He did a couple of CARICOM lectures overseas and then he came back and did a University CARICOM conference at the weekend so it's related to that," said Mr. Medley. "He just had to get some more rest this morning."
The Prime Minister later attended a function to re-open Liberty Hall, the former local headquarters for the Marcus Garvey movement, United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), King Street, downtown Kingston.
AWARDEES CHEERED
At yesterday's award function, hundreds of dignitaries, goverment officials, relatives and friends cheered for the 140 persons, awarded various national honours and awards on National Heroes Day. About 135 were present, among them prominent musicians, Jimmy Cliff, Ken Boothe and Freddy McGregor.
Mr. Cliff received the fourth highest honour, the Order of Merit while Mr. Boothe and Mr. McGregor were among 32 people who received the sixth honour, the Order of Distinction (OD) for their contribution to the Jamaican music and film industry.
"All the awards that I have received so far, I receive in memory of all my friends and colleagues who played such a great part in the development of Jamaican music. We guys have been carrying the flag for years," Mr. Boothe said.
CLIFF WORKING ON NEW BOOK
Mr. Cliff, who recently finished a four-month tour and is currently working on a new book, a new album entitled Fantastic Plastic People and looking at a new movie script said, "It's good to be honoured. The rebel got honoured," he quipped. Renown potter, Cecil Baugh, Dr. Oswald Harding, Q.C., Karl Hendrickson and Professor Errol Miller received the nation's fifth highest honour, the Order of Jamaica (OJ).
But most cheers were for police Constable Garfield Letford, who received the Medal of Honour for Gallantry after he foiled an attempt by four robbers, carrying knives and guns. They had attempted to rob him and four civilians in February.
Applause followed 97-year-old education veteran Dorothy Robertson, who insisted on walking to
the podium - with a cane and the hand of a member of the Jamaica Regiment to collect her OD from Governor-General, Sir Howard Cooke.
ODs also went to Professor Barry Chevannes; Carole Guntley Brady; Gleaner board member, Richard Ashenheim; Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin and Mrs Alma Mockyen.
Broadcaster and lay magistrate, Norma Brown Bell; businessman, Jukie Chin; Dr. Hermi Hewitt; Jamaica Employers Federation president, Herbert Lewis and Iris Whittaker received ODs.
Twenty-one persons received the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service and 16, the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service, including one posthumously.
Medals of Honour for Merito-rious Service also went to 12 JDF members and 12 from the police including head of the St. James Police division, Supt. Newton Amos.
Five members from the Correctional Services Department and 13 from the Jamaica Fire Brigade also received awards.
