Hundreds of people came out to this year’s National Heroes Day celebration focused on honouring outstanding business leaders and entrepreneurs in the Cayman Islands.
In total, close to 200 people were honoured in the event, with the theme, ‘Celebrating the Icons of Business and Entrepreneurship: A Tribute to Caymanian Business Ingenuity, Creativity, Successes, Hard Work, Innovation, and Leadership.’
Minister for Culture Dwayne Seymour said, “Today, we honour those who have not only succeeded in their ventures, but who inspired countless others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Their leadership has created jobs, fostered innovation and contributed to the prosperity we enjoy today.”
Awards were provided in three different categories with many well-known names recognised for their role shaping the business and economic landscape in the Cayman Islands.
The three categories included:
- Legacy builders: For laying the groundwork for future economic development, while shaping the social and cultural landscape of the Cayman Islands for generations.
- Modern visionaries: For building successful and enduring enterprises while contributing to shaping the modern business culture of the Cayman Islands.
- Innovator of impact: For creating a business or businesses that initiated important economic, community, or cultural shifts resulting in profound positive impact on the Cayman Islands.
The Heroes Day event was filled with patriotism and national pride, with people dressed in their Sunday finest; many of the women also wore elegant hats, and there were hundreds of school children waving Cayman flags.
Family members laid wreaths at the statues and busts of the 10 national heroes located around Heroes Square, while the governor and premier led the laying of wreaths at the women’s monument ‘Aspiration’.
During the parade, Governor Jane Owen inspected detachments of officers from the uniformed services, along with additional detachments from the Cayman Islands Scouts and Cub Scouts, Cayman Islands Girls Brigade and Cayman Islands Cadet Corp, and music was provided by the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service and Cadet Corp band.
Four new national heroes were announced at Heroes Day by Premier Juliana O’Connor-Connolly, including Captain Keith Tibbetts, Ernest Craddock Ebanks and Frank Hugh George Scotland, with family members accepting the honour on their behalf. Francine Eldona Jackson, the only national hero still alive today, was able to receive her honour at the ceremony.
“The value of Heroes Day is difficult to place into words,” explained Seymour, who added, “As a young country in comparison to other regional neighbours, the Cayman Islands has grown and developed into a modern society we enjoy today due to the efforts of our nation builders. On this day of reverence, we remember their contributions and also strive to inspire the next generation of heroes who will write the next chapter of our country’s history.”
In addition, the premier also announced recipients for the Order of the Cayman Islands, whose motto is “Determination conquers all.”
Among those receiving their insignia and warrant of appointment was Captain Paul Hurlston who was made a ‘Companion of the Order’ for services to the international maritime industry and for the preservation and promotion of Caymanian seafaring history.
‘Officer of the Order’ was presented to Reverend Dr. Edwin Baldwin Tatum, for outstanding charitable work and Christian leadership within in the community and overseas.
Pastor Garret Preston Haylock was made a ‘Member of the Order’ for outstanding charitable works and Christian leadership within the community.
This was the 22nd annual National Heroes Day celebration in the Cayman Islands and, following the awards event in the morning, many returned to the capital between 4 pm and 8 pm to enjoy local food, live music and fireworks.
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