21 Bahamians receive 2019 National Honors

21 Bahamians receive 2019 National Honors
Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis gives address during 2019 National Honors ceremony at Government House. Photo Credit: BIS

Minnis announces social media campaign for Hurricane Dorian first responders

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Twenty-one Bahamians were honored during the 2019 National Honors Investiture ceremony at Government House yesterday, for offering tremendous national service or exemplifying excellence in various fields.

Photo Credit: BIS

Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis also recognized the courage and grace of the many Bahamian citizens who put their lives at risk during and in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian during his remarks at the ceremony.

He announced his office will launch a social media campaign featuring the stories of heroes who exemplified courage and service during the storm.

“Nurses, doctors, defense force and police officers, family administrators and other public officers and private citizens were on the frontlines of protecting others and saving lives,” Minnis said.

“Many of our fellow-citizens put their lives at risk in the service of others.

“Most of these public officers on Abaco, and many of these heroes on Grand Bahama, lost their homes and all of their possessions.

“On this National Heroes Day, we recognize their courage and their grace.”

“Such service and courage is a powerful demonstration of the best of the Bahamian spirit and the spirit of one Bahamas,” Minnis continued.

“As we make our country whole again and as we reconstruct and renew Abaco and Grand Bahama, may the words of our National Pledge…be our guide.

“May we be ‘one people united in love and service’.

Minnis noted that the honorees are people of courage, who have demonstrated courage in the exercise of religious pastoral ministry; the promotion of cultural and national development; the service of others through political, public, civic and community service; the chronicling of the nation’s history and preservation of national treasures; the preservation of the natural and built environment; and the pursuit of excellence in education, commerce and athletics.

 

21 Bahamians honored at the 2019 National Honours. Photo Credit: BIS

The new Companions of the Order of The Bahamas are Rev. Dr. Philip Rahming; the late Timothy Gibson; and the late Rev. Dr. Hervis Bain.

The new Companions of the Order of Distinction are the Hon. Frank Watson and the Hon. O.A.T ‘Tommy’ Turnquest.

The new Officers of the Order of Distinction are Mr. Keith Mason, Sr. and Mr. Franklyn O’Brien Rolle.

The new Members of the Order of Distinction are Dr. Dianne Gail Saunders; Mrs. Missouri Sherman-Peter; Mr. Godfrey Kenneth Kelly; Mr. Edward Andrew ‘Dud’ Maynard; Mrs. Lynn Holowesko; and Mr. Norward Rahming.

The new Companions of the Order of Merit are Rev. Dr. Charles Saunders; Bishop Carrington Samuel Pinder; the late Mr. Edmund Moxey; and the late Mr. George Adams. The new Office of the Order of Merit is Rev. Bishop J. Carl Rahming.

The new Members of the Order of Merit are Rev. Charles A. Sweeting and Rev. Oral Rex Major.

The Order of Lignum Vitae was awarded to Mrs. Shaunae Miller-Uibo.

Minnis said: “On this National Heroes Day, we are gathered in gratitude to recognize and to celebrate fellow-citizens, some passed, but most, happily, still with us, who have offered tremendous national service, or who have exemplified excellence in various fields of endeavor.

“As has been written by ancient scribes and contemporary thinkers and writers, courage is the virtue required to practice and to demonstrate other virtues with consistency and fortitude.”