Friday, September 18th, 2015. Aaron Humes Reporting: Thursday night’s Tribute to Belizean Patriots took place in Belize City at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts. It is the annual recognition of Belizeans who have made outstanding contributions to Belize.
Leading the way with the Order of Distinction are the late Dr. Gian Ghandi, Solicitor General and senior attorney, and Emma Boiton, organizer of the Queen of the Bay pageant and confidante of the late Hon. Philip Goldson.
Receiving Meritorious Service Awards were the following: dancer Rosita Baltazar (deceased), Doreth Martinez, Marian Casey, Guadalupe Ack, Isabel Palma (deceased) , Elvira Duarte, Daphne Sheran, dancer and playwright Sistie Fairweather Harmes, Bajra Coleman, author, educator and cultural activist Silvaana Udz, Milton Burgess, fisherman Carlton Young, athlete Kenneth “Powder” Sutherland, Patrick Scott, footballer Gerald Henry, Sr., educator Roy Cayetano, record producer for Stonetree Records Ivan Duran, longstanding educator Basil Coleman and manatee conservationist Jamal Galvez.
The highest honor of National Hero has been awarded only three times, to Rt. Hon. George Price, Hon. Goldson and Monrad Metzgen. The Order of Belize is second highest, then the Order of Distinction and finally the Meritorious Service Awards.
They are established under the National Honors and Awards Act of 1991.