In celebrating National Heroes’ Day Jamaicans honour those seven officially recognised heroes who stand above all others in our consciousness.

We refer to the Right Excellencies Nanny (of the Maroons), Sam Sharpe, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Sir Alexander Bustamante, and Norman Washington Manley.

Those seven embraced a period from the early 18th century to the early 1970s; dedicating their lives to the fight against slavery and colonial domination; and more latterly in the quest for racial equality, justice, workers’ rights, and political independence.

There is the increasing cry for others to be included in that top tier, including freedom fighter Tacky, who, like Messrs Sharpe, Bogle and Gordon, died a martyr; as well as cultural legends Mr Robert Nesta (Bob) Marley and Mrs Louise Bennett Coverley (Miss Lou).

Ideally, heroism at every level should be recognised and honoured. Hence, that formal awards ceremony which takes place today at King’s House.

Yet, many acts of heroism go unrecognised beyond the local level. That’s just life.

In that respect, this newspaper is thankful for being able to tell the story of unheralded 86-year-old Mr Louis Christie, a chartered surveyor who played a lead role in encouraging the University of Technology, Jamaica to start a related degree programme.

Mr Christie tells us he was driven by racism while studying in Britain during the 1970s and his strong belief that, if at all possible, Jamaicans should be spared such experiences.

At a basic level, our story of an unnamed HIV survivor who reportedly ended up on the streets after being ostracised opens a whole new dimension.

We are grateful to him for having the courage and awareness to tell his story, which hopefully will help to correct failings which, sadly, are all too commonplace.

He also reminds us of the heroism of those who wholeheartedly commit to lifting up the less fortunate.

In his case, it was the faith-based Missionaries of the Poor — which provides sanctuary for the unwanted — who took him off the streets and helped him to regain a level of independence.

Crucially, that organisation and others continue selfless work in defence of those at the bottom of our socio-economic ladder.

Our leaders, too, have thought it useful to remind us that in our own individual ways we can all be heroes.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness urged that in paying tribute to our national heroes we also honour the “living heroes among us; the teachers who shape minds, the nurses who heal with compassion, the farmers who till the soil, our athletes who give us much pride, the police and soldiers who keep us safe, and every Jamaican who rises each morning to do an honest day’s work”.

And, against the backdrop of persistent allegations of wrongdoing in the September 3 parliamentary elections, Opposition Leader Mr Mark Golding, in his Heroes’ Day message, hailed those who voted “without indulging in the malignant influence of money or other corrupt influences”. He argued that those who honestly participated in the election demonstrated their “commitment to shaping Jamaica’s future…”

Ultimately, while the overwhelming majority of us will never be officially recognised as heroes, we should all embrace the building of a better Jamaica.