Heroes Day 2014 celebrates ‘Cultural Heritage’

iNews Cayman’s Publisher Joan Wilson was one of the recipients of The Pioneers Award at Monday’s (27) Heroes Day.

Message from The Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, MLA, JP

Minister for Home & Community Affairs

I take pride and honour in welcoming you to National Heroes Day 2014. This year our focus is on Cultural Heritage and today we will honour those people who have helped build and maintain local culture.

Today is a time for us to give thanks to those who have made a difference in our lives through their selfless actions.

Through their efforts, the Cayman Islands has been blessed with the ability to strike a delicate balance between modern times and tradition.

We must embrace our Cultural Heritage so that we will remember the attributes that we have inherited – individually and as a country – from past generations.

There are many tangible artifacts still around us and monuments that help us remember our Cultural Heritage.

But that isn’t enough, as those we honour today can attest. The names of those we recognise today will become part of our rich history as they join those heroes who went before them.

This is the largest national celebration the Cayman Islands has to celebrate our heritage and culture and it pleases me that you have taken time out of your busy lives to join us in recognising our newest heroes.

Please help me in showing our appreciation to the keepers of our Cultural Heritage.

Message from Hon. Osbourne Bodden, MLA

Minister for Health, Sports, Youth & Culture

This Heroes Day we recognise those persons who have worked to strengthen and grow our cultural heritage. Such a celebration is timely and fitting. We have long reached a point in our development, where it is highly desirable for us to take stock of our heritage, its importance to society today, and the role that it should play in guiding us to make future decisions. To do otherwise will imperil the foundation of our modern identity.

Today’s ceremony is a step in the right direction towards this goal. Many of these outstanding honourees here have worked to ensure that the Caymanian community can still access elements of our forefathers’ culture. Others have made memorable contributions to music, dance, theatre, visual arts and architecture. Still others have enshrined themselves in our hearts by virtue of their unstinting generosity towards our cultural institutions.

To put their contributions in context, it is important to define what we mean by cultural heritage. It is all those things tangible and intangible that, when taken together, make a group of people distinctive. Well-known highlights of Caymanian cultural heritage include: thatching, turtling, shipbuilding, a strong church-going tradition, cookrums, catboats, wattle and daub houses, marbles, gigs, and so much more.

Furthermore a great deal of our past has left no visual or written record behind, but is instead enshrined in our memories, and hence more vulnerable to the changes that time brings, particularly in a small island developing nation.

In different ways, we all, including our children and our elderly, suffer when we lose access to such things, even if we are not fully aware that this is what we are experiencing. That is why it is so important that we have opportunities like this year’s National Heroes Day to celebrate those among us who have worked to preserve and promote our unique cultural heritage.

I ask you to join me in congratulating our honourees, and hope that today’s celebration will help each of us identify how we can make our personal contribution to helping to preserve and promote Cayman’s cultural heritage.

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The cultural pioneers were nominated by residents based on their contribution to the promotion and preservation of the Cayman Islands.

The Early Pioneers Award is for individuals who made significant cultural contributions to the Cayman Islands prior to the year 1960. This year’s Early Pioneers are: Rayal B. Bodden, Claranell Christiana Connor, Crosby Collymore Ebanks, Ethel Ebanks, Leila Rosalind Ebanks, Samuel Matthew Ebanks, John Hooper Henning, Capt. Paul Adolph Hurlston, Julia Almeria Hydes, Marvelle McLaughlin, Phyllis McLean, Blanche Lyline Rankin, Marjorie D. Rankine, Turner H. Rankine, Annie Laura Walton.

The Pioneers Award is for individuals who made significant cultural contributions to the Cayman Islands from 1960 to 2003. This year’s Pioneers are: Daphne Louise Ackermon-Orrett, Charles C. Adams, OBE, William Banker, Wray Banker, Leslie Bigelman, Honorary MBE William Dudley Churchill Bodden, Gladwyn Klosking Bush, Margarito Chantilope, M. Janilee Clifford, Carmen E. Conolly, Geoff Cresswell, Adelaide Erena Ebanks, Lily Anita Ebanks, Anna Consuelo Ebanks, Annalee Ebanks, Carlyle Ebanks, Joseph H. Ebanks, Rose May Ebanks, Albert Radley Gourzong, Helen Harquail, Ernest Carey Hurlstone, Bendel Hydes, Percival Jackson, Mary Jannet Lawrence, Andy Elton Martin, Herbert Delmoth Martin, Laurel Martin, Leathan Linburgh Martin, David Anthony Martins, Harwell Moncrieffe McCoy Sr, Dr. Frank McField, Alvin Allen McLaughlin, Florence Greta McLaughlin, Gleda Eulean McLaughlin, Heather Ruth McLaughlin, Eileen McLaughlin, Henry David Muttoo, Horst George Nowak, H. Edward Oliver, Arthurlyn Pedley, Dr. Philip Edward Pedley, Anthony Powell, Araunah Uriah Powery, Oswell M Rankine, Isaac Jeralow Rankine, Edmund Rex Scott, Diana Essie Scott-Driscoll, Janace Opal Solomon, Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette, Linton N. Tibbetts, Ira Walton, Esther Vernicia Watler, Vivine Elizabeth Watler, Joan Evangeline Wilson.

The Emerging Pioneers Award is for the individuals who made significant cultural contributions to the Cayman Islands from 2003 to present. This year’s Emerging Pioneers are: Debra Barnes-Tabora, Denise Bodden, J. A. Roy Bodden, Ivan Burges, Randy Chollette, Christopher Christian, Keino Daley, Bergman Ebanks, Deal Ebanks, Saskia Jenna Miracle Edwards, Virginia C. Foster, Kevin Goring, Launa Green, Mark Hydes, William Kemuel Jackson, Natasha Claire Kozaily, Jerris Miller, Carla Reid, Samuel Rose, Alexander Urquhart, A. Joel Walton, and Brian Kirby Watler, Jr.

The Memorial Scroll award is given to a deceased person who was a leader or significant contributor to the promotion and preservation of Cayman’s cultural heritage. Those awarded are: Susan Christine Barnes, George Whitecross Ebanks, Clifton Adalbert Hunter MBE, Judson Elbert McCoy, Capt. Keith Parker Tibbetts, Sr., MBE, Adina Whittaker, and Harvey Dalkeith Whittaker.

The Long Service Award is given to a person (currently alive) who is a long-standing supporter of the promotion and preservation of Cayman’s cultural heritage for 10 years or more. These individuals are: Marlena Hilriege Anglin, Capt. Dale Banks, Luelan Samuel Bodden, Tennson Bodden, QPM, Dalkeith Bothwell, George MacLure Bothwell, Caris Bramwell, Lucille M. Douglas, Wilfred McCatric Douglas, Darwin Dennis Ebanks, Erna Jane Avillin Ebanks, Geoffry William Ebanks, Paul Darwin Ebanks, Thomas Ewart Ebanks, Maple Valentine Edwards, Radley and The Happy Boys Band, Reina Dean Jefferson, Alex Evangeline Johnson, Andy McCoy, Charisse Raquel Morrison, Marcia Muttoo, Elard Earling Myles, Tamara L. Selzer, John Bothwell Smith, Mitzie Tomlinson, Mitchell Welds, Archie Burke Clinton Whittaker, Audrey Whittaker, Carolyn Connie Mae Whittaker, Veda Cynthia Whittaker, and Grace Elnith Wright.

Among the 54 Pioneers are individuals who passed away in recent years including: Helen Harquail, Anna Consuelo Ebanks and Linton N. Tibbetts.

For Exceptional Courage in Keeping the Cayman Islands Community Safe for all Residents: Edward Azan, Charles Ebanks, Ray McGutire, DC Manley Berry, and DC Khalesia Barboram.

Present at the Heroes Day Celebrations was HE Governor Helen Kilpatrick, CB who inspected the Police Honour Guard.

The Proclamation for Heroes Day was read by the Speaker of the House Hon Julianna O’Connor Connolly.

National Heroes also honoured were: Hon. James (Jim) Bodden, William Warren Conolly OBE, JP, Thomas William Farrington, CBE, JP, Sybil Joyce Hilton, MBE, Sybil Ione McLaughlin, MBE, JP, Ormond L. Panton, OBE, Desmond V. Watler, CBE, and Mary Evelyn Wood, Cert.Hon.

The Parade comprised members from:

Royal Cayman Islands Police Band

A Detachment of the Royal Cayman Islands POlice Service

A Detachment of the Fire Service

A Detachment of the HM Prison Service

A Detachment of the Cadet Corps

A Detachment of the Girls’ Brigade

A Detachment of the Scouts / Cub Scouts

A Detachment of the Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders

Wreaths were laid in honour of deceased Caymanian Heroes and commemorated by Joel Francis.

The National Anthem was sung by Rudy Miles OMH and the National Song by the young Miss Jaedyn Hanna. With the exception of International Soprano Lisa Carlisle I have never heard our National Song sung better.

The Master of Ceremonies was Bentley (Mark) Tibbetts, Jr., JP

Nasaria Suckoo-Chollette gave a special presentation by reading some entertaining prose.

The Cultural Heritage Early Pioneers and Pioneers awards were presented by Hon.Osbourne Bodden and Ms. Jennifer Ahearn, Chief Officer, Ministry of Health,Sports, Youth and Culture.

FROM GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICE

Cayman Islands Honours its People

People of the Cayman Islands gathered in Heroes Square to honour and venerate stalwarts among them in the annual National Heroes Day event today (Monday, 27 January 2014).

With parades, honours, music, colour, inspiring words, wreaths and cultural heritage displays, they celebrated National Heroes, brave citizens and cultural heritage pioneers.

Five persons received bravery citations for their “exceptional courage in keeping the Cayman Islands community safe for all residents.” Three of them, Mr. Edward Azan, Mr. Charles Ebanks and Mr. Ray McGuire, as ordinary citizens had bravely intervened, risking their lives, and thwarted the commission of a crime. Police officers, Detective Constables Manley Berry and Khalesiah Barboram, were lauded for their bravery and courage during an incident in Bodden Town in 2012.

Seventy Cultural Heritage Pioneers, who received honours in five categories, were chosen from among nominations from their peers for their stellar contributions to the “preservation and promotion of cultural heritage” in the Cayman Islands.

Afterwards, invitees, guests and all attendees got to enjoy local food and live entertainment.

(GIS)

Photo captions Photos by Bina Mani

Premier addresses: At the colourful National Heroes Day celebrations in George Town today (Monday, 27 January 2014), Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP, addresses the gathering with tributes to Cayman Islands’ eight National Heroes and colourful wreaths below.

Aunt Julia receives: Caymanian cultural icon, 105-year-old “Aunt” Julia Hydes, Cert. Hon. receives honours for her inspiring work as an Early Pioneer to cultural heritage in the Cayman Islands. L-r: Chief Officer Ms Jennifer Ahearn, JP, Minister of Health, Sports, Youth and Culture, Hon. Osbourne Bodden, Mrs. Julia Hydes and Mrs. Reina Jefferson.

Bravery 2: Citizens Mr. Charles Ebanks and Mr. Edward Azan receive citations for bravery from Culture Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden and congratulations from Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP. A third recipient, Mr. Ray McGuire, was not present.

Police Bravery: L-r: Premier, Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP; bravery citation recipient Det. Cons. Manley Berry, Culture Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden and Bravery Citation recipient Det. Cons. Khalesiah Barboram

NHero Hon SMcLaughlin: National Hero and Cayman Islands’ first House Speaker, Hon. Sybil McLaughlin attended the event and received recognition accorded to National Heroes.

School kids marchpast: School children march past waving the National Flag.

Governor receives salute: Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs. Helen Kilpatrick, CB, receives her first Heroes Day salute from the parade.

Premier Salute 2:  Premier Hon. Alden McLaughlin, MBE, JP, receives a general salute from the seven parade contingents representing the RCIPS, Fire Service, HM Prison Service, Cadet Corps, Girls’ Brigade, Scouts/Cub Scouts and Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders.

Governor inspects: Her Excellency the Governor, Mrs. Helen Kilpatrick, CB, inspects the guard of honour presented to her, accompanied by Police Commissioner Mr. David Baines, OBE, Aide-de-Camp Inspector Ian Yearwood and Parade Commander Inspector Lloyd Marriott.

Mrs Walton: Mrs. Annie Laura Walton received her Early Pioneer honours from Culture Minister Hon. Osbourne Bodden and Chief Officer Ms Jennifer Ahearn, JP.

Mr. Araunah Uriah Powery: Mr Araunah Uriah Powery was honoured as one of the Cultural Heritage Pioneers.

OTHER PHOTOS BY COLIN WILSON