Antigua's 28th Independence

Top honours were bestowed on two persons yesterday, and an additional 35 were recognised for their outstanding contributions to Antigua & Barbuda during the nation’s official Ceremonial Parade marking its 28th year of political Independence.

Mitchell A Michael was posthumously awarded Knight Commander of the Most Precious Order of the Nation, KCN.  His award is in recognition of his services in entrepreneurship and community service.

Hyacinth Richardson was granted Dame Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of the Nation, DCN for her services to nursing and the legal profession.

Four recipients received the Grand Cross of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit, GCM award. Edie Modestine Sowerby-Labadie, for services in teaching; Victor McKay and Ernest Benjamin, for their contributions to public service; Herman Blackman, for his services to the Antigua & Barbuda Defence Force and Oscar Peters, for his services as a World War veteran.

In recognition of his services to the hotel industry, Lissue Walker received the Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Merit, CM. The CM was also bestowed on Yolanda Peters for their services in teaching; Sheila Roseau for public service.

Eleven persons received the Most Illustrious Order of Merit, OM awards. These are Patrick Whyte for his services to sports; Milton Davis for public service; Edward Mellanson, posthumously, for services to merchant shipping; Lestroy Merchant, for contributions to education; Lynette Nicholas for teaching; Hyacinth Michael-Walter, for education; and Rufus Adolphus Lewis, for his services to the trade union movement; Arthur Edmund for his services to the tourism industry; Agnes Meeker for services to community development and the Order of St John Hospice; Hudson Knight, for services to sports and Cardinal King, for services to education.

Five persons received the Most Illustrious Order of Merit, MM awards. These are Joycelyn Greene, for services to the hotel industry; Gwendolyn George, for services to education; Norman Beazer, for services in the hospitality industry; Cedric Beazer, for education and Ismay Mason for services to the hotel industry.

The recipient of the Grand Cross of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage, GCH award was Eldean Baptiste, for his services to cricket.

Three Grand Officer of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage, GOH, awards were granted to Hyacinth Hillhouse and Daisy Pestaina for their services to education and William Lewis, posthumously, for his services to the arts, culture and sports.

Awarded Commander of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage, CH, are Raphael Williams, for services to education; James Daley, for services to sports (bodybuilding) and community development; and Hubert Shield, for services to culture and community development.

The recipient of the Officer of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage, OH, is Denley Lauchland Samuel for his services to the arts (steel pan) and culture.

Meanwhile, Lionel Irish was awarded the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage, GCH, for public service and sports.

The Member of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage, MH, was awarded to Yvonne William-Willis for her services to sports (netball) and community service.

Lastly, Samuel CA Simon II was the recipient of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage, MH, for services to religion and community development.