Five new Cayman Islands National Heroes will top several categories of persons being formally recognised during this year’s National Heroes Day celebrations on Monday, 24 January.
They are being lauded for significant contributions to nation-building and community service in a number of areas including aviation, nursing, politics and culture.
During this special national holiday, relatives and friends from districts in all three islands will gather in Heroes Square, George Town, to honour those who will receive Cayman’s highest honours.
The five new National Heroes (all of whom are deceased) are Mr. T. William Farrington, CBE; Mr. Desmond Watler, CBE; Mr. Ormond Panton, OBE; Mrs. Joyce Hylton, MBE and Ms. Evelyn Wood. The day’s events will detail their years of meritorious service.
The five join the two previously-named Cayman Islands National Heroes: the late Hon. James (Jim) Manoah Bodden, whose statue now graces Heroes Square, and Mrs. Sybil Ione McLaughlin, MBE, JP.
In a second – and new – award category, 24 persons will receive the Order of the Cayman Islands. This Order has three categories: First is the Medal of Honour which may be awarded at the Commander, Officer, or Member levels. The Medal of Merit category is sub-divided into gold and silver, while the Long Service Award comprises the third category.
Recipients of the Order of the Cayman Islands, in the respective categories are:
Medal of Honour (Commander): Mr. Allan Steve McField; Mr. Carley Elton Ebanks; Mr. Thomas Evert Ebanks; Mr. Harris Draper Ebanks; Mr. William Harvey Ebanks; Mr. Ashton Smith Tatum; Mr. Charles Winton, Sr., Mr. Layman Emmiel Scott Sr. and Dr. Stephen Anthony Tomlinson, MBE.
(Officer): Mrs. Monica E. Bryan; Mr. Ivan Laurie Farrington; Mr. Byron Derrick Ebanks.
(Member): Mrs. Twyla Mae Vargas; Mrs. Elva Evans; Mrs. Alma J. McKenzie.
Medal of Merit (Gold): Mr. Elbert McLean; Mr. Ernie Edison “Gillie” Seymour; Mr. Roy “Huta” Ebanks; Mrs. Merta Day and Mr. Andy Cecil Myles.
(Silver): Mrs. Jean Astria Solomon; Mr. Frank Albert Ebanks.
Long Service Award: Ms. Darlene N. Owens-Elliott; Mrs. Emily Wilson.
A third grouping of Monday’s honourees comprises five of the eight persons who were named in this New Year’s Honours listing, in the Cayman Islands Certificate and Badge of Honour category.
Choosing to receive their awards at the Heroes Day ceremony are Mr. Hartmann Morgan DaCosta, JP; Ms. Audrey Ebanks; Mr. Rodney Alan Hansen; Lt.(sg) Dave C. Thompson and Ms. Zemrie Estella Thompson.
The 2011 Heroes Day theme revolves around the development of aviation in the Cayman Islands and the contributions of 50 pioneers in this field will be highlighted.
The public is invited to attend Monday’s Heroes Day event and should be seated by 9:30 a.m.
Post-ceremony festivities will include live entertainment, local foods and an opportunity to reminisce on the significance of earlier stalwarts who so selflessly served this country.
