Caymanian veteran and well known civil servant Harwell “Harry” McCoy Sr was honoured at this year’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony on Sunday for his bravery and his contribution to the Cayman Islands.
McCoy, who passed away on 19 Jan. 2008, served with distinction in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserves in Trinidad as a young man and was one of only two Caribbean officers to receive a British Empire Medal.
Loxley E.M. Ebanks, representative of the Cayman Islands Veterans Association, paid homage to McCoy, reminding those in attendance of the role he played in laying the foundation for the Cayman Islands.
He said McCoy was the founder of the Cayman Islands Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, and also acted as governor during his tenure as a civil servant.
A snippet of an interview with McCoy was played a part of the special ceremony paying homage Caymanian veterans held at the Cenotaph at Elmslie Memorial Church in George Town.
In his clip, the noted veteran recounted the dangers he faced during World War II.
At the ceremony, acting Governor Franz Manderson laid the first wreath. Premier Wayne Panton followed with the laying of the second wreath at the Cenotaph.
House Speaker Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and Chief Justice Margaret Ramsay Hale also laid wreaths on behalf of the Parliament and Judiciary, respectively.
Ministers Kenneth Bryan and Isaac Rankine also laid wreaths on behalf of their constituencies.
Deputy Opposition Leader Joey Hew laid a wreath on behalf of the Opposition.
Bodden Town East MP Dwayne Seymour laid wreath on behalf of his constituency.
Wreaths were also laid at the foot of the Seamen’s Memorial on the Seafarer’s Way as part of the solemn ceremony.
The ceremony encompassed a religious service and a parade by the uniformed services.
A royal salute to acting Governor Franz Manderson was performed by the mixed contingent of detachments compromising of the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, the Islands’ Regiment, Fire Service, His Majesty’s Prison Service, Coast Guard, Girls’ Brigade, Cayman Islands Scouts and Cub Scouts, Cadet Corps and Seventh Day Pathfinders.
This is considered an act that embodies deep respect and admiration for the valour of the service members.
Remembrance Sunday precedes a public holiday, which will be observed on Monday, 13 Nov.
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