Governor General

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Hundreds of Jamaicans turned out this morning (Oct. 15) to witness 107 outstanding civilians being presented with national awards for their contribution to various areas of national life.

A total of 85 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Defense Force, Island Special Constabulary Force, Department of Correctional Services, and the Jamaica Fire Brigade, also received medals of honour for gallantry and meritorious Service.

Occasion was the National Honors and Award ceremony, which this year, was held at the National Indoor Sports Centre, due to the threat of rain.

Governor General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall, who presented the awards and wife Her Excellency Rheima Holding-Hall, headed the list of attendees, which included Prime Minister, Bruce Golding and wife Mrs. Lorna Golding; and Leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller and husband Errald Miller.

Seven persons received the Order of Jamaica (OJ), which is the fourth highest honour. They are: Rev. Herro Blair, who received the award for outstanding service to religion and public service; Steve Bucknor, for outstanding service in the field of Sports; William 'Bill' Clarke, for sterling contribution to banking and public service; Professor Edwin Jones for excellence in academia and public service; Keble Munn for sterling contribution to agriculture; Dorothy Pine-McLarty for outstanding public service and Adrian Strachan, also for outstanding public service.

In addition, 40 persons received the Order of Distinction in the rank of commander (CD). Among the recipients were Molly Rhone, for contribution to sports administration; Dr. Barbara Carby, for dedicated service in the field of disaster management; Captain Barrington Irving, for pioneering work in aviation and Clement Seymour 'Sir Coxsone Dodd' and Arthur Stanley 'Duke' Reid for contribution to the music industry. Mr. Dodd's award was received by his wife, Mrs. Norma Dodd.

Another 35 persons were conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of Officer (OD) and these included Dr. Wendel Abel, Edith Allwood Anderson, Ewart 'U-Roy' Beckford, Trevor Simpson and Winston 'Burning Spear' Rodney.

With respect to the Badge of Honour for Gallantry (BHG), seven persons were recognized, including eight-year old Don-Christopher Barnes, who saved his friend from drowning. Eleven persons received the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (BHM) in areas such as education, community development, and dentistry, while seven persons received the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service (BHL) in a number of fields.

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