UPDATE: Fifteen receive national awards; Dominica celebrates 32nd birthday (PHOTOS ADDED)

Fifteen outstanding Dominicans were honored today with national awards as the island celebrates another independence anniversary, which opened with the traditional uniformed group parade at the Windsor Park Stadium.

Those honored include Curtis R.T. Tonge who received a Sisserou Award for his contribution to business in Dominica, and Edward Lambert for his contribution to public service and consultancy.

ADDITIONAL PHOTO GALLERY BELOW STORY

The Meritorious Service Award went to six individuals, including Henry Volney and Celia Nicholas – for their role in education; Anthony Cuffy – agriculture; Reuben Luke – business; Evander Joseph – community service; and Valentine Johnson for her involvement in the development of education.

Beatrice Green, Villeneuve E. St. Ville and Merlyn Jno. Baptiste took the Services Medal of Honor awards for education. Awards in the same category were also awarded to Thaddeus Ferrol for commitment to community service and Carlton Peters for business.

Long Service Award medals were handed down to Jones Lawrence for the Fire and Ambulance Service and Patricia Shillingford in the field of education.

President Liverpool presented the awards.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit addressed Dominicans present on the grounds and those tuned in via live broadcast reminding them of the importance of nationhood and patriotism.

He spoke of the advancements made in the areas of infrastructural development, aviation, education, and the cost and standard of living for Dominicans.

Today’s event followed the traditional pattern with a parade inspection by the president, a march pass in slow and quick time by members of the police force, fire department, prison service, cadet corps, scouts and band troupe and the presidential salute.

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28 Comments

  1. rc massive
    November 8, 2010

    abeh look at farmer looking sharp and ting .congrates

  2. Pass Student
    November 6, 2010

    Congratulations to “Teacher Pat”- Patricia Shillngford for her years of service at the Pre-school we love you Teacher Pat!!!!!!!!!!

  3. dprincess
    November 5, 2010

    yea Mr. Volney….way to go…you deserve it. Have never forgotten the days of CDCC..also Mrs. Merlyn Jno Baptiste..cheers!!

  4. Sout Man
    November 4, 2010

    @ Serving Police Officer

    You probably haven’t served long enough to know that Superintendant Evander Joseph represents the Police Department. Any police officer deserving of an award is not going to complain or protest for the award. We do not beg for honour and respect. We earn them. Long service alone is not the only criterion
    for the award. Many teachers have served longer and with distinction and have not received the award.

    One has to serve with distinction, class, outstanding committment and loyalty to deserve such awards. Otherwise, the honour will be watered-down (for lack of a beter word). Therefore, this police officer is an insubordinate, and is not even deserving of his job, let alone a meritorious award.

  5. femmedominique
    November 4, 2010

    Great Photos, Thanks for sharing!

  6. lightbulb
    November 4, 2010

    @First Vice President DAT:

    big up to ma joe, she must be passionate about her work to be looking so young

  7. spy
    November 4, 2010

    @Serving Police Officer,sooo agree wid u.but again remember mr carrette dont no right from wrong
    much less to see the need to reward some police officers.shame on carette and his musical band.let them dance one day the music will stop

  8. spy
    November 4, 2010

    hats off to all the teacher who were recognized for the contributions to our children

  9. Eyes Wide Open
    November 4, 2010

    Congrats to all who received awards yesterday, I really enjoyed the ceremony. Also want to say that I enjoyed the commentating by Dr. Lennox Honeychurch on DBS radio explaining every part of the ceremony, the historical meanings etc.. It was truly an educational experience for me. I

  10. DA ME COME FROM!!
    November 4, 2010

    Congratulations to all who received awards today, and thanks for your selfless contributions to my beloved country Dominica. My special thanks to Mr. Villeneuve St. Ville for unrelenting service which he delivered to the East coast schools of Delices, Boetica, La Plaine. He is a man of great faith and fortitude, has an unsurpassed wealth of knowledge and has spent his life in the service of others. Thank you and may the Lord continue to bless you always!!

    Happy Independence to all back home. Wish I could be there. Have a safe celebration!!

  11. TR
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations to all of you, especially to all the educators who received awards.

  12. Anonymous
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations to all and especially my dad, Villeneuve St.ville.
    Merlyn Jno Baptiste, Ma Nicholas and Ma Johnson you have all made tremendous contributions in the field of education. You deserve it. Enjoy and God Bless.
    Thanks DNO for keeping us in touch as usual.
    Happy Birthday Dominica.

  13. recommendation
    November 3, 2010

    Does anyone know whether Lennox Honychurch has received one these national awards? The service he is rendering this country in recording our history and culture and passing it on to upcoming generations is priceless. If he hasn’t received one already, I think he deserves one of the highest honours this country has to offer.

  14. Daughter of the Soil
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations daddy on your achievement. The only one awarded for long service in agriculture. Continue to keep the agriculture sector vibrant in Dominica, without agriculture the whole world is no where. Keep shining.

  15. child
    November 3, 2010

    thank you d.n.o.for keeping those of us that are abroad well informed.congratulation to dominica and dominican .most of us are proud to be dominican .sorry for those who are not

  16. BEST INTEREST
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations Dominica on your 32nd year as an independent nation. I am always captivated by the vibrant colors which is part of our culture. I must state my disappointment in the fact that we have chosen to modernize our culture. I see Dominicans in Wob Dwiyets of questionable colours. White, blue, yellow, shiny???? What happen to madras? Did they stop selling it? Is there a shortage? Nooooo!!! Independence day is for madras Grand Wob Dwiyet!!!! Even the national Miss Wob Dwiyet pageant has these funny floral prints. For me, this is highly unacceptable. If you want to wear a Wob Dwiyet in fancy colours do so anytime during the year. Independence is for madras. That is our culture.

    With this said, I wish every Dominican a peaceful independence celebration.

  17. Nature Boy
    November 3, 2010

    CONGRATULATIONS AND HAPPY INDEPENDENCE TO THE GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF DOMINICA. MAY GOD CONTINUE TO RICHLY BLESS THE LAND OF OUR BIRTH.

  18. Serving Police Officer
    November 3, 2010

    It’s a shame how the Chief and Deputy behave.So there are no police officers qualified for long service medals.We are the ones who fight crimes every day no matter what the weather conditions are.We have sleepless nights, during diasasters we have to leave our famalies to serve the country.There were so many officers on parade today who have more than 20 years service not one of them went up to the podium to get an award.Shame on the whole system including the Administration of the police department.Am sure there are members of the publice who may have said what about the police officers.This only shows how crooked Mr.Carrette and the bigger bosses of the police force are.We suppossed to be united yet we are divided.Babylon will crumble In Dominica.The devil will go with Mr.Carrette.Shame on him.

  19. ALWAYS CHECKING DNO
    November 3, 2010

    Congrats to all. You all deserve it. Those who did not get any, dont be disheartened. It will come in the years to come, hopefully before you dead.

  20. Concerned Citizen
    November 3, 2010

    What about the young men who joined the police service at the age of 20 and are now more than 25 years service don’t they deserve awards too are they not people too.What kind of representation The chief and his deputy do for thier men.Shame on all u.That’s y the morale of the force is so low whith all u at the head.Rotten chief and deputy.Sons of the devil.

  21. Police Officer
    November 3, 2010

    Shame on the Chief of Police.He never submitted the name of any polie officer for long service awards.Does it means that police officers who serve for more than 30 years is not long service shame on you Mr. Carrette selfish ..

  22. Ms.Foxy
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations to all for their hard word and dedication……….I missed yet another year of independence celebrations but thanks to DNO I can celebrate from a distance :)

  23. Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Unity
    November 3, 2010

    A blessed, happy and peaceful Dominica Independence Day to all.
    Congratulations to all who received awards for their outstanding achievements.

  24. j Royer
    November 3, 2010

    Big Upto our lovely Isleof Beauty and Splendor on her 32 nd birthday. To our beloved pm on a tremendous job not yet complete butprogressing satisfactorialy,To all the awardees hearts off on a job well done

  25. jai
    November 3, 2010

    congrats to all

  26. Thanks soo much Dno.
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations to all those you recieved honours today. May the good lord bless you. And keep on doing the good work that you been doing. And thanks soo Much Dno for bringing us all these lovely pics. I think you deserve an award for all the outstanding work you’ve been doing ..I really Appreciate what you been doing . Happy independence to Dno and staff and all Dominicans both overseas and in Dominica.

  27. First Vice President DAT
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations to all Teachers and Educators who were honored today. Your hard work and dedication in the formation of our Dominican society has proven to be noteworthy. Special recognition goes out to Mrs Celia Joseph Nicholas a long standing educator and leader in the Education business and for those who don’t know it Dominica’s longest serving Principal keep up the good work “Mrs. Nick” you are a gem to be treasured.

  28. Mahaut jammet living abroad
    November 3, 2010

    Congratulations to all

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