AS the country celebrates National Heroes’ Day today, Prime Minister Andrew Holness is urging citizens to make a concerted “national effort” to always promote the country’s proud heritage, especially among the youth.

“The preservation and continuity of our rich and deeply rooted history, heritage and culture spans generations, and our indomitable spirit is a part of the fabric that makes us who we are as a nation. We have a great heritage to promote and a great legacy to protect,” the prime minister said in his Heroes’ Day message.

In relation to the the youth, he said: “They need to know, embrace, and treasure our Jamaican history and culture, and face the challenges of the future with confidence, optimism and hope.”

Citing this years Heroes’ Day theme, ‘A Great Heritage… A Great Legacy’, he also encouraged Jamaicans to internalise, appreciate and bring it to the forefront of their daily existence.

“We cannot afford to treat it lightly, knowing we have had significant global influence on every field including music, culture, sports, medicine, and of course our contribution to world history through our national heroes.

“Jamaica and Jamaicans can boast of our giants who stood tall against centuries of oppression. We produced heroes that impacted not just our great island nation, but the world,” Holness said, while saluting the country’s seven great national heroes for their monumental and impactful work in fighting for freedom and independence.

The prime minister also saluted the countries modern-day heroes who have risked their lives to help others.

Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips, in his message, called for greater use of the media, classroom and creative arts in the preservation of the country’s heritage.

“Once again, it is time for us to recognise and celebrate the achievements of our national heroes. Collectively, their exploits and accomplishments have paved the way for Jamaica to move from plantation slavery to nationhood.

“However, we need to bear in mind that with each passing year, fewer and fewer Jamaicans have any living memory of any of our heroes. It is therefore of the utmost importance that we utilise the media, the classroom and our creative artists to inform and educate our children of the great heritage and the great legacy that we have inherited,” he said.

Phillips also praised members of the security forces who place their lives at risk daily; teachers, health care workers and other public sector workers who often give their personal time and resources to ensure that national social services are effectively managed.

“Respect is also due to the thousands of Jamaicans who give voluntary service through their citizens’ associations, neighbourhood watches or youth clubs, on behalf of their fellow citizens,” he added.

According to the Opposition leader, those present-day heroes provide a reminder that the vision, hopes and aspirations of the founding heroes of our nation are still to be fully realised.

See the full text of both National Heroes’ Day messages on Page 14