BELIZEAN PATRIOTS HONORED AT SPECIAL CEREMONY

September 19, 2007

The annual tribute to Belizean Patriots was held last night. His Lordship Bishop Osmond Peter Martin received the Order of Belize.  Bishop Osmond Peter Martin:“In the back of my mind,was to say yes in honor of the many men and women who have collaborated with me for the past 47 years in my past ministry.And I look upon especially the teachers,who have had to endure many hardships in going to the villages to educate the children of our nation.,and these are the Garinagu teachers.There has been a development in this respect.Today we have the indigenous people – the Ketchi and the Mayan people,staffing their own schools,taking care of their own people giving an account of themselves.So to them I pass on this tribute and this honor.” 

Last night’s programme was dedicated to the memory of Emory King who passed away last month.  King received the order of distinction posthumously, an award that was accepted by his son Emory King Junior. 

Emory King Junior:“My father loved Belize fiercely and unwaveringly.His passion brought him to seek out every fragment of our history,and to eagerly and delightedly share them with all Belizeans,encouraging everyone to learn all they could about the country,their people and their traditions.He wanted everyone to love Belize as much as he did.Tonight,Belize has told him how much she loves him too.” 

 
The other awardees received the order of meritorious service. Receiving an award was Sister Mercy Cervantes. 

Sister Mercy Cervantes:“Thank you to the government of Belize,to my family,my religious family,the Sisters of Mercy,and to my friends.And especially to Almighty God for their love,support,and encouragement through the years.It is an honor and a privilege to serve my country and it’s beautiful people.God bless Belize.”  

Belize’s Cultural Ambassador Andy Palacio was also honored. Andy Palacio,Belize’s Cultural Ambassador:“At first and foremost,I have to pay tribute to those souls who struggled and died,that we can have this language and this music that I’ve been so actively working with for the past two decades.I accept this honor with great humility and with the hope that it will serve as an inspiration to the next generation of Belizean artists;and that it will inspire them to work with this material,this wealth that we have in the great body of Belize’s cultural heritage.” 

Chairperson of the Corozal Red Cross Branch Gloria Gilharry was recognized for her service to her community. 

Gloria Gilharry,Corozal Red Cross Branch Chairperson:“I would like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve my community and country in the time of need.It is a great honor to receive this award.I am grateful to the National Honorary Committee for considering me in their selection.” 

James Janmohammed was also awarded with the order of meritorious service. James Janmohammed:“I feel honored,humbled,and deeply moved that you should give this important honor to a simply soldier from San Pedro.I am no one special,but I believe the prize is recognition of true patriotism,love,and compassion for the people of Belize which I dearly try to practice.I accept this award with profound gratitude on behalf of all the persons who have assisted me,especially the close team that I have in Corozal right now consisting of Colonel Lovell from NEMO and Colonel Defour from NEMO,Major Requena,and all the BDF soldiers,Mr. Recinos from Customs Department,and Ms.Pate from Human Development,all of whom are still working tirelessly in Corozal,and these are the people who made it possible for me to carry out my task.”

Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Human Development Anita Zetina was also recognized. 

Anita Zetina,Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Human Development:“I accept this tribute with humility and I’m also honored to share this evening with other very distinguished and outstanding Belizean patriots.I thank the persons responsible for this nomination,but as we all know,we do not accomplish on our own.Many people influence,support and give us the to serve and enable us to do our work.I take this opportunity to thank God for giving me the health,the strength,guidance,and most important – the vision to serve others.”  

Anthony Sylvester was described as the consummate public officer who made his mark in the area of training new officers. Anthony Sylvester:“I can recall my first day as a public servant,and I continued to work with dedication and interest to the best of my ability.It is indeed a pleasure for having served my country for over 45 years,but tonight,to be singled out to be considered for the Meritorious Service Award;an award I accept on behalf of my family and people who have been there for me throughout my life.” 

Also receiving the order of Meritorious Service Award last night was Rene Villanueva Senior and Love F-M. 

Rene Villanueva Senior:“I humbly accept this award of behalf of the entire Love family.I join them in thanking the people of Belize who made it possible for us to receive this recognition,and like I said in my book ‘Thanks for Choosing Love’ Love FM belongs to the people of Belize.It is dedicated in service to all Belizeans.Each day our dedicated team joins hearts,hands,and voices in service to this nation we love so much.We are not perfect, but we do our best to serve along the lines of the Rotary 4-way test:Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Is it beneficial to all concerned?” 

Prime Minister Said Musa was on hand to make an address and present the awards to the Patriots. 

Prime Minister Said Musa:“I feel very honored to be sharing in this tribute to our Belizean patriots tonight.And I will do no more than mention the fact that there are three S’s that stand out with all these distinguished patriots:Success clearly in their lives,Service and Sacrifice.They’ve all sacrificed in their own way for Belize and certainly they’ve all served us and have been serving us,and we thank them all.” 

During last night’s ceremony Prime Minister Said Musa announced that Belize’s cultural ambassador Andy Palacio has been named UNESCO’s artist for peace.

|

|