Belizeans Honored
And also, last night there was adult patriotism on display at the tribute to Belizean Patriots. The annual event held at the Bliss Center recognizes outstanding - (and ruling party friendly) - Belizeans with medals denoting the order of distinction and the meritorious service award.
Here are this year's 22 recipients as read by the Cabinet Secretary and representative of the Governor General:
The National Awards and Honors Committee chaired by Phillipa Bailey makes the selections.
Channel 7
22 Belizeans honored at Tribute to Belizean Patriots
Last night twenty-two Belizeans were honored for their outstanding contributions to society in the annual Tribute to Belizean Patriots. The event was held at the Bliss Center for the Performing Arts and has become an important part of the country’s September celebrations. Two persons, Betty Flinchum and Henry Young Sr. received the Order of Distinction. Twenty other Belizean patriots were handed the meritorious Service Award for their contributions to Belize and the society. The proclamation was read by Honorable Carlos Perdomo and Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young gave a brief remark on the event.
Carlos Perdomo – Secretary of the National Honors and Awards Advisory Committee
“Tribute to Belizean Patriots proclamation. Whereas the following persons have labored diligently on behalf of the improvement off and to the benefit of our country Belize and its people and whereas they have contributed their time, energy and intelligence often at great sacrifice to themselves to making Belize a better place for all our people. Now therefore by the power vested in me as Governor General and acting on the advice of the Prime Minister Honorable Dean O Barrow and on behalf of a grateful nation I proclaim that National Awards be vested upon Betty Flincham, the Order of Distinction. Henry Young Sr.. Patricia Bennet, Meritorious Service Award. Dianne Finnegan, Meritorious Service Award. Lucille Hulse Heusner, Meritorious Service Award. Arcadia Carrillo, Meritorious Service Award. Matron Christina Palacio, Meritorious Service Award. Rita Defore, Meritorious Service Award. Cordelia Rhaburn, Meritorious Service Award. Kathleen Skeen, Meritorious Service Award. McKayla Williamson, Meritorious Service Award. Earnest Tillett, Meritorious Service Award, Cuthbert Bailey, Meritorious Service Award. Henry Smith, Meritorious Service Award. Earlyn Henderson, Meritorious Service Award. Eworth Garbutt, Meritorious Service Award. Fabian Cayettano, Meritorious Service Award. Sebastian Cayettano, Meritorious Service Award. John Young Sr, Meritorious Service Award. Pedro Salazar Sr, Meritorious Service Award. Robert Usher, Meritorious Service Award. Robert Pate Sr, Meritorious Service Award. God save Belize given this 14th day of September 2017 in the 36 year of the independence of Belize signed Sir. Colville Young Governor General of Belize. Let us give them a big hand.”
Governor General of Belize, Sir Colville Young
“I just want to congratulate the recipients of the honors and to remind all Belizeans young especially that these are examples of the kind of lives they should live. They kind of service they should give to their country.”
LOVEFM
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The Tribute to Belizean Patriots Awards Ceremony 2017 was held on September 14th at the Bliss Institute for Performing Arts in Belize City. The event is held every year as a part of the official September Celebrations activities. It's an occasion to honour Belizeans who have dedicated their lives to serving the country.
Twenty-two Belizeans were honored for their service to Belize over the years. Twenty of the honourees received a Meritorious Service Award, while two received the Order of Distinction.
Mr. Pedro Salazar Sr. honored at the Tribute to the Belizean Patriots award ceremony
A group of outstanding Belizeans were honored on Thursday, September 14th at the annual Tribute to the Belizean Patriots Ceremonies. Among the honorees was Ambergris Caye’s very own Pedro ‘Pete’ Salazar Sr., who was bestowed with the Meritorious Service Award. The award ceremony is part of the September Celebrations, and was held at the Bliss Centre for Performing Arts in Belize City. Don Pedro, as he is affectionately called, has been an educator, politician, community activist and today remains a successful entrepreneur. After graduating from St. John’s College in June of 1963, Don Pedro became a primary school teacher at the San Pedro Roman Catholic School for about a year and a half.
He soon saw an opportunity to be of much assistance to his fellow islanders, and thus took employment in the newly established Caribeña Producers Society, chartered in March of 1963. He was initially hired as a cashier/payroll master and due to his dedication and hard work, he ended up becoming the General Manager of the company. Under his guidance, the cooperative achieved its highest peaks of exportation in seafood products, such as lobster, conch, and shrimp.
AmbergrisCaye.com 
