Left: Governor-General, Professor Kenneth Hall, inspects the Guard of Honour prior to yesterday's National Honours and Awards ceremony at King's House. Behind him is Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, chief of staff of the Jamaica Defence Force.   Right: Harold Smykle Bailey (right) accepts his Badge of Honour for Gallantry from Governor-General, Professor Kenneth Hall. Mr. Bailey rescued the only survivor of a plane crash off the Palisadoes Peninsula in 1953.

Yesterday may have been set aside for the recognition of Jamaica's National Heroes, but in Spanish Town, St. Catherine, it was the unsung heroes who had their time in the spotlight.

The St. Catherine Parish Council hosted a civic ceremony and awards function to recognise the contributions made by average St. Catherine residents who have dedicated themselves to the service of others.

The awardees included church and business leaders, volunteers and schools which have distinguished themselves as leaders of the St. Catherine community.

Among the awardees were the Old Harbour Cultural Committee and the St. Jago High School, which is the alma mater of National Hero Norman Manley. Both institutions were given gold medals for their achievements in the field of culture.

Living legends

Recipients of the highest award of the day included Dudley Lalah, a member of the Spanish Town Lions Club for more than 30 years, who was lauded for his work in providing much needed medical and educational supplies to thousands of St. Catherine residents.

Another award recipient was Gloria Brown, a native of Sligoville, who has been a leader in that community even in the years since she has moved out. She is a lawyer and a church deacon and still finds time to provide help to residents of the area in whatever way she can.

Mayor of Spanish Town, Dr. Andrew Wheatley, hailed the awardees as 'living legends' and encouraged them to continue on their path of selflessness.

The function was held at the historic Emancipation Square in Spanish Town and featured exciting performances from schools in St. Catherine. Flowers were also laid on blocks with pictures of the National Heroes on them.