Harry Belafonte tops list of 206 Jamaicans to get national honours

Jamaica Information Service – Harry Belafonte, born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr, will head the list of 206 award recipients at the 2018 National Honours and Awards ceremony, which will be held on Monday, October 15 at King’s House.

The celebrated actor, singer, songwriter and social activist will receive Jamaica’s fourth highest award, the Order of Merit (OM) for his outstanding contribution in the field of music.

Four persons will be appointed as Members of the Order of Jamaica (OJ). They are Godfrey Glengoffe Dyer, CD, for his exceptional contribution to the field of tourism; Earl Wesley Jarrett, CD, for contribution to the banking and financial sectors, public service and volunteerism; Grace Beverly Jones, for contribution in the field of entertainment internationally; and Giuseppe Francesco Maffessanti, CD, for contribution to the construction industry, social development, welfare and philanthropy.

Meanwhile, 31 persons will receive the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Commander (CD) and 36 persons will receive the Order of Distinction (OD) in the Rank of Officer for outstanding work in various fields.

The Badge of Honour for Gallantry will be bestowed on nine civilians for varying acts of bravery they displayed to save lives. They are: Grace Allen, Kimani Ramon Anderson, Sophia Lorraine Cameron, Verlyn Faithie-Ann Douse, Jevon Keith Lewis, Camille Errolyn McIntosh, Lloyd Alexander Nelson, Selena Reid and Aristel St. Joy.

Corporal Malachi Delroy Davis and Corporal Omar Seymore Wilson of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Inspector Allison Nadine Grant-Johnson of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) will receive the medal of Honour for Gallantry.

Harry Belafonte

Nineteen individuals will receive the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service, while 30 will get the Badge of Honour for Long and Faithful Service.

Thirteen members of the JDF; 21 members of the JCF and 14 members of the Jamaica Fire Brigade will be conferred with the Medal of Honour for Meritorious Service.

The ceremony will be presided over by Governor-General, His Excellency The Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, and will be streamed live on the JIS website at: www.jis.gov.jm.

Guests attending the function should be seated by 8:30 a.m. The National Honours and Awards Ceremony will be preceded by a Floral Tribute at National Heroes Park. This is scheduled to start at 8:00 a.m. and will also be streamed live.

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