WITH more than 30 years on Caribbean radio in South Florida under his belt, Bevan “Duke of Earle” Earle is in tune daily with the Jamaican community there and back home. His folksy style has made him a popular figure in the region’s large West Indian community.

Last Sunday, the St James-born Earle was rewarded with the United States President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his long and distinguished service, which he accepted at a ceremony in City Hall, Miramar, a Miami enclave teeming with Jamaicans.

“I could not believe what I was hearing when I was told that I am getting the highest award given to someone doing community service,” Earle confessed easily to the Jamaica Observer. “And even more profound is: How did they know all about me? I was walking on cloud nine.”

He has long surpassed the 4,000 hours of community service required for potential recipients of the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award presented to people “who have made a significant impact on their field and have contributed a large number of hours of volunteer service”.

At the January 19 ceremony Earle was presented with a letter from the president of the United States, a certificate, and a gold medallion. It was witnessed by four of his children, eight grandchildren, and fellow Jamaican Maxwell Chambers, a Miramar City commissioner.

It is the latest accolade for the chatty Earle whose service has been recognised with proclamations from administrators in the Caribbean-strong boroughs of Miramar, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, and Pembroke Pines. He has received similar recognition from former Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

Earle is known throughout South Florida as the founder of Jamaica National Flag Day, a patriotic event celebrated on August 6 to mark the country’s Independence. He also hosts Hot Talk radio show on WAVS 1170 AM, and is the publisher/editor of Caribbean Voice newspaper.

One of five brothers, he was raised in a working class home in Barrett Town, St James, by his stepfather Peter Forbes and his mother, Ethlyn May Powell. Earle joined Jamaica Defence Force after leaving Mount Zion All-Age School, and after six years in the military, enlisted in Jamaica Constabulary Force where he served for 20 years.

He credits those years as a policeman for fostering his lasting sense of benevolence. Most of his early community work took place in St James, where he was heavily involved in sports.

Although he has called South Florida home for 40 years, Earle maintains strong ties with Jamaica. He was a firm ally of the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, founder of Sandals Resorts International, and currently works with Sandals Foundation to assist the needy by way of an annual treat in Barrett Town, his hometown.

“Along with Sandals and Beaches Resorts, we feed and issue school supplies to children and treat them every Christmas at the Barrett Town Police Station. Families from Long Bay, Spot Valley, Flanker, Lilliput and surrounding areas also benefit,” Earle said.