Professor Lalor heads list of national awards recipients today
THE nation’s third highest honour, the Order of Merit (OM), will be bestowed on Professor Gerald Cecil Lalor today, National Heroes’ Day.
This eminent scientist will head the list of 215 people to be honoured at the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards, which will be held on the lawns of King’s House.
Professor Lalor will be recognised for his contribution to Jamaica and the world’s development through the application of science, technology and innovation, and service to the public and private sectors.
Meanwhile, four people will be appointed as members of the Order of Jamaica (OJ). They are Dr Julius Winston Garvey, for distinguished contribution to universal civil activism and promotion of entrepreneurship and the legacy of Garveyism and pan-Africanism; Robert Earle Levy, for outstanding service to the agriculture sector and philanthropy; Dr Alferita Constantia “Rita” Marley, for outstanding contribution to the popularisation of Jamaican music and Brand Jamaica, and for humanitarian work through the Rita Marley Foundation; and Robert Dixon Pickersgill, for public service and political representation.
In addition, 41 poeple will be invested with the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander and 40 individuals will join the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer for contribution in various fields.
The Badge of Honour for Gallantry will be bestowed on Tamar Delise Blake for an act of courage and bravery in ensuring the safe return of a stolen infant, and Suzan Elizabeth Foster for rescuing a police officer, who was hit from his motorcycle and transporting him to the hospital.
Twenty-three individuals will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service and 30 will receive the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.
Late Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Lance Corporal Ricardo Dane Antonio Bennett will be honoured with the Medal of Honour for Gallantry for his quick, daring and selfless actions on Friday, September 2, 2016, when he confronted a gunman who threatened him and other civilians at a Beauty and Barber Salon in Cross Roads, Kingston, resulting in his untimely death.
JDF Lance Corporal Ferdinand Augustine Trench will receive the Medal of Honour for Gallantry for saving the life of a man who fell into a precipice along the Junction main Road in St Mary on August 6, 2011.
Nine members of the JDF along with 25 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, 11 members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and 26 members of the Department of Correctional Services will receive the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.
The ceremony will be presided over by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.