GRAND TURK, Turks and Caicos Islands; Monday, May 25th, 2009 – Today, the Turks and Caicos Islands celebrates National Heroes Day. At two ceremonies held in the nation’s capital, Grand Turk, one at the JAGS McCartney Mausoleum, the other at the Lester Williams Park, both on Old Airport Road, saw honouraries being presented awards for service par-excellence to country.
The commemoration ceremony, organised in the last five years by the Turks and Caicos Cultural and Arts Commission, not only celebrates and honours the heroes that are known, but those too that are unsung.
James Alexander George Smith McCartney, the TCI’s first Chief Minister and sole national hero’s life was celebrated and commemorated with a wreath-laying ceremony, and words delivered to mark the occasion.
Not only he, but also others have also made an inedible impact on the TCI; and to that end, teachers and students were presented with awards for service to their schools, while unsung heroes were recognised and honoured.
At the Lester Williams Park, the presentation ceremony was marked by a poignant address given by Mr. James “Bobby” Fulford, the sole surviving World War II hero from the Turks and Caicos Islands and a pantomime by Ms. Garde Alleyne.
Listed are persons that received awards at both locations:
HONOURARIES: JAGS McCARTNEY MAUSOLEUM
Ona Glinton Primary School – Grand Turk
Heidi Williams (Head Teacher) and Moesha Morris (pupil)
Eliza Simons Primary School – Grand Turk
Glenda Taylor (Teacher) and Imram Hoza
Turks and Caicos Community College – Grand Turk
Rev. Julia Williams (Principal) and Luiyel Morris (student)
Helena J. Robinson High School – Grand Turk
Marionette Hinds (Teacher) and Anthony Clarke (student)
Mary Robinson High School – Salt Cay
Roxanne Smith (Teacher) and Travonte Mohammed (pupil)
Marjorie Basden High School – South Caicos
David Bowen (Principal) and Dorado Fulford
Enid Capron Primary School – Providenciales
Ismae Pereira (Teacher) and Mykelande Dorasin
Ianthe Pratt Primary School – Providenciales
Diadra Fulford (Teacher) and Stace-Ann Thomas (pupil)
UNSUNG HEROES HONOURARIES: LESTER WILLIAMS PARK
Served in the Army in World War II
Mr. James “Bobby” Fulford (1943-1945)
Mr. Frankly “Count Bernadino” Ellis (1943-1945)
Mr. Robert Hall (1943 – 1945)
Mr. Albert Hall (1943 – 1945)
Died Sailing as Merchant Marines during World War II
Mr. Alexander Green
Mr. Fred Basden
Mr. Edward Wood
Mr. George “Georgie” Forbes
Alive and Sailed as Merchant Marines during World War II
Mr. Oswald Francis
Mr. Alex Forbes
Mr. Perry Missick
The Cultural and Arts Commission would like to thank all participants whose contributions made this National Heroes Day Wreath Laying Ceremony 2009 a great success: Father Mark Kendall, Lillian Missick, Sharlene Cartwright-Robinson, Dennis Simmons, Sheldon Wilson, Unique Creations, Winston Quelch, Kareem Fulford, Grand Turk Police Department, James “Bobby” Fulford, EMS, RTC, LIME, Government Primary Schools, Oswald Skippings, New Testament Church of God Dancers, Award the Occasion, Garde Allyene, David Smith, Brian Been and the Red Cross.
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