One hundred and forty-three Jamaicans who have made outstanding contributions to nation building will be duly recognised at the annual National Honours and Awards Ceremony, to be held on Heroes’ Day, Monday, October 18.
This made-for-television virtual event will start at 9:00 a.m. and air on Television Jamaica (TVJ), CVM, Love TV, and the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica (PBCJ).
It will also be streamed live on the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) websites.
Heading this year’s list of recipients is Professor Donald Jasper Harris, who will receive the country’s third-highest honour, the Order of Merit (OM), for outstanding contribution to National Development. Professor Harris is father of the current Vice President of the United States of America (USA), Kamala Harris.
Four prominent Jamaicans will be conferred with the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the fourth-highest national award. They are former Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Member of Parliament, Pearnel Patroe Charles, CD, JP, for distinguished Public Service; former leader of the People’s National Party (PNP), Dr. Peter David Phillips, MP, for distinguished and exemplary Public Service; Ian Kent Levy, CD, for outstanding contribution to business and philanthropy in Jamaica; and Ernest Adheir ‘Ernie” Ranglin, CD, for exceptional contribution to the development and internationalisation of Reggae Music.
Thirty-five persons will receive the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) for outstanding contribution in areas such as education, health, business and philanthropy, religion, public service, the judiciary, the financial sector, sport, legal profession, foreign service, communication and arts, fashion industry, Jamaican diaspora, and nation-building.
Former Cricketer, James Clive “Jimmy” Adams will head the list of 40 persons to receive the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer (OD). Mr. Adams will be recognised for his contribution in the field of sports, in particular cricket.
The Badge of Honour for Gallantry (BH{G}) will be conferred on two civilians: Kyme Matthew Duncan for act of bravery in rescuing his elderly and physically impaired neighbour from a burning building on March 6, 2021, and Dwight Anthony Moore for Act of Bravery and Heroism in saving the life of a policeman under attack on August 19, 2020.
Meanwhile, the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BH{M}) will be conferred on 30 individuals and another 31 will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (BH{L}).
Several members of the Uniformed Groups representing the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) and the Department of Correctional Service (DCS) will receive the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.
Two members of the JCF, Detective Constable Michael Beckford and Constable Delano Dunn along with firefighter, Dennis Maconey Taylor of the JFB will also receive the Medal of Honour for Gallantry