Pioneers of agriculture in the Cayman Islands will be honoured at National Heroes Day celebrations on Monday, 25 January, 2016.

The spotlight on farmers will include the categories of early pioneer, pioneer, emerging pioneer, memorial scroll, and long service award.

There will be more than 320 awardees of whom 142 will be given long service certificates, 109 will be placed on the memorial scroll and there will be around 20 in each of the other categories.

“The farmers of this country, on all three islands, have played a very important role in our history, and continue to sustain us,” said Minister for Agriculture, Hon. Kurt Tibbetts, OBE, JP. “From the early days of our development, until present times, farming has been the backbone of our society and it is only fitting that we recognise those who have played their part in helping to feed our people.

“From the small-time farmer to those who farm on a larger scale, we honour them all and thank them for their efforts. Farming in the Cayman Islands’ climate can often prove challenging and we pay special tribute to their hard work and perseverance.”

It is also expected that a new national hero will be named at this year’s celebrations to add to the existing eight, including the only living recipient Hon. Sybil McLaughlin, MBE, JP.

The Cayman Islands’ other national heroes – Hon. James (Jim) Manoah Bodden; Hon. Thomas William Farrington, CBE, JP; Hon. Sybil Joyce Hylton, MBE; Hon. Ormond L. Panton, OBE, Hon. Desmond V. Watler, CBE; Hon. Mary Evelyn Wood, Cert. Hon.; and Hon. William Warren Connolly, OBE, JP – will also be honoured by youth parliamentarians on Monday.

A minute’s silence will be observed and wreaths will be laid in tribute to the Cayman Islands’ nation builders.

Pastor Robert James Arch, Cert. Hon., from Church of God Universal will say the prayer while the national song, Beloved Isle Cayman, will be performed by Rudy Myles, Cert. Hon, OMH, and Lisa Scott who is the great-granddaughter of the song’s writer Leila Ross-Shier.

Cayman Arts Festival Primary String Players comprised of children from George Town and Savannah Primary Schools will also provide entertainment at the event.

Following the ceremony there will be a celebration of food provided by local cooks, and music by the J.R. Douglas Band and Blake Hurlston Band in the George Town Public Library car park.

Award recipients will also have the opportunity to have their photos taken with the Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, and Mr. Tibbetts at George Town Town Hall after the ceremony.

For more information on National Heroes Day 2016, contact the Protocol Office on 244-3612 or [email protected].

National Heroes Day Protocol

The National Heroes Day celebrations will be held at Heroes Square in George Town starting at 9.00 am and everyone is asked to be seated by 8.30 am. Dress code is strictly business attire and attendees are reminded that they must remain in their designated areas. Attendees are advised not to climb onto any official monument or statue to take photos and are asked to stand at attention during the national anthem and song, as a mark of respect.

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