The colors of black, inexperienced and gold adorned the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in Takoma Park, Maryland, on Sunday (July 27), as scores of Jamaicans and pals of the island gathered in thanksgiving for Jamaica’s 63rd yr of independence.
Ambassador to the US (US), His Excellency Main Basic (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, headed the listing of dignitaries, which included representatives from the diplomatic corps, native, state, and federal authorities officers together with heads of varied diaspora organisations, who joined the greater than 400 worshippers in attendance.
Ambassador Anderson in his handle to the attendees, who have been donned within the nationwide colors, stated that this yr’s theme, ‘Be Proud. Be Daring within the Black, Inexperienced, and Gold’, represents the deep which means of Jamaica’s cultural id and its model.
“I really feel blessed that I can name myself a Jamaican. The Jamaican model is a powerful model on the earth. It’s sturdy due to our world diaspora and, considerably, the affect and motion of the diaspora in the US, which helps to outline how individuals see and know model Jamaica,” he famous.
“We’re right here to have a good time a major milestone – 63 years since Jamaica gained its Independence. The black speaks to the power and creativity which have sustained us via each triumphs and adversity; the inexperienced displays the hope and abundance of our stunning land; and the gold captures the heat of our sunshine and the richness of our spirit as a nation,” he identified.
“As we collect on this place of worship, whether or not Jamaican or pal of Jamaica, we’re reminded that these colors don’t simply fly on Independence Day; they reside in us, day by day. They present up in our onerous work, in our religion, in our laughter, and in the best way we assist each other, whether or not in Kingston, Clarendon, or proper right here in Maryland, DC, and Virginia,” the Ambassador stated.
He lauded the diaspora neighborhood for persevering with to uplift Jamaica’s good identify throughout the globe.
“You serve in lecture rooms and boardrooms, in hospitals and halls of presidency. You carry our tradition via music, meals, trend, and household values. You give again, whether or not via remittances, charitable work, or just by being shining examples of what it means to be Jamaican,” he famous.
The Ambassador reiterated his dedication to constructing sturdy ties between the US and Jamaica.
“I had the honour, simply this week, of presenting my credentials to the US President, which locations me ready to higher serve the pursuits of Jamaica and the diaspora. On this function I’ll search to construct stronger bonds with the US of America,” he pledged.
The Ambassador highlighted the nation’s buoyant funding local weather, pointing to myriad prospects, and urged the diaspora to know these alternatives.
“Jamaica is experiencing good issues in lots of sectors. We’re in an excellent place to obtain investments and an excellent place to be a pillar of assist to realize nice issues collectively right here as Jamaicans in the US. I’m actually wanting ahead to participating and getting these bonds as sturdy as doable,” he stated.
Ambassador Anderson learn the message from Prime Minister, Dr. the Most. Hon. Andrew Holness.
Affiliate Minister of the Covenant Baptist United Church of Christ, Rev. Sylvia McDonald Kaufman, delivered the sermon, whereas the service was moderated by Dr Bertram L. Melbourne, a Jamaica-born professor of New Testomony research and a former affiliate and interim dean of Howard College Faculty of Divinity.
The service was highlighted by the presentation of the DMV Jamaica Diaspora Awards. The recipients are Hopkins College Professor Emeritus Dr Franklyn W. Knight, who obtained the Lifetime Achievement Award; Esther Sanderson, the Particular person Award; Marguerite Chinn/Negril Eatery – Establishment/Organisation Award; and Elda Devarie/EMD Gross sales, the Pal of Jamaica Award.
The providing collected this yr shall be donated to assist the Hanover Infirmary in Jamaica.
