Cadet captain praised by national awardees
IN high school he “joined the cadets and never left”, and for five decades, he equipped hundreds of Jamaican youth with military skills and discipline, honing them into model citizens under the umbrella of the Jamaica Combined Cadet Force.
On National Heroes’ Day, a beaming Captain Clive Levy was among the proud members of the audience attending the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew where he witnessed another batch of those he has trained being recognised.
“Senior Superintendent of Police Norris Rhoomes, Deputy Superintendent of Police Collin Millaneise and Bishop Professor Dr Randolph Henry; they are all here today getting awards, I’m over the moon,” a contented Levy told the Jamaica Observer at the end of the proceedings on Monday.
“I taught all of them when they were young, I saw their potential, worked on their strengths and ignored the weaknesses because it doesn’t help focusing on weaknesses, and over the years we have been in touch from then til now,” Levy said of the Meadowbrook High School alumni.
“From all over the world they call and flock me same way, is as if mi a dem father,” Levy chuckled, adding “adults in Jamaica tend to focus on the youngsters’ weaknesses and not their strengths but if you constantly look at the weaknesses you won’t see their strength. That’s a demotivating factor. Once a child’s strength is recognised and they see the rewards from it, there is no stopping them”.
Levy, who confesses to having sired one biological daughter but lays claim to “thousands of sons and daughters locally and worldwide”, is of the view that his life’s value lies in showing love to those in need.
“We interpret love as hugging but love can be just buying a book so they can go to school; love can be buying a pair of shoes, you don’t have to do it because you want recognition, just do it,” he said.
“I have spent so much money on kids over the years because it was just necessary for them to go forward. I remember when I didn’t have it growing up, so if I am in a position now to buy a book or a pair of shoes, I do it. I am pushing also the concept of period poverty with girls that most people don’t even recognise; I do what I have to do until I go,” he told the Observer.
On Monday, Deputy Superintendent of Police Collin Millaneise, who was presented with the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service to the constabulary, said Levy’s influence was the foundation for his professional life.
“It is indeed a privilege for me to be here for a national award and to know that Mr Levy has been there from the nurturing stage. There is never a time that he did not stand up, play his role, he always delivered, I could attribute this award to my early years at Meadowbrook High School as a cadet, there I started as a basic private, I left as a sergeant and transitioned to the constabulary,” he told the Observer.
“I continue to do my best and in whatever way I can, I serve. He always tell us, ‘life is not a rehearsal, you have one opportunity, do it and do it right’. Those words have kept us,” Millaneise,” told the Observer before smartly turning to his mentor to say ‘thanks once again, Mr Levy and I proudly salute you’.”
“I proudly accept”, a beaming Levy quipped in return.
Senior Superintendent of Police Norris Rhoomes, who was also presented with the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service to the constabulary, also acknowledged the guidance provided by Levy.
“I had my training from the Combined Cadet Force, I am now a senior superintendent and waiting to be elevated to the other ranks,” Rhoomes said.
For the senior superintendent of police the recognition was a fitting nod to “all the hard work and service over 31 years”.
His time in the constabulary he said has been “very good, very enlightening, with a lot of opportunities”.
“I have been on courses locally and overseas, there are a lot of opportunities for young people wanting to join, just remain steadfast and disciplined,” he encouraged.
Bishop Professor Dr Randolph Henry, who was one of two to receive the Badge of Honour for Gallantry, said Levy was a virtual father figure.
“He is the one who recommended me to represent Jamaica in an Army Exchange in Canada. I was a cadet and at the time I was selected to represent the Jamaica Defence Force and the Cadets all because he saw the potential in me. Now I am a Lieutenant General with the United Nations, all because he saw the potential in us and trained us. He was rough on us but we all turned out well,” he told the Observer proudly.