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GG's DC Independence celebrations

Published:Sunday | August 14, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Governor General Sir Patrick Allen addresses members of the Jamaican community at a thanksgiving service to mark Jamaica's 49th year of independence hosted by the Embassy of Jamaica at the Dunbarton Chapel, Howard University in Washington, DC, on Sunday, August 7. Seated in the front pew are Lady Allen and Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks. - JIS
Lady Allen receives a warm greeting from president of the Jamaican Nationals Association, Claudette Henry. Sharing in the occasion is Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. -JIS
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen greets vice-president of the Jamaican Nationals Association, Maureen Wallace, at a reception held in the chapel's fellowship hall after participating in a thanksgiving service to mark Jamaica's 49th year of Independence hosted by the Embassy of Jamaica at the Dunbarton Chapel, Howard University in Washington, DC, on Sunday, August 7. At right is Tanya Powell.
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen (centre) and Lady Allen (second right) pose for a photograph with Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks (right), Jamaica's honorary consul to Virginia, Beryl Riley, and her husband, Mr Riley, at a reception held in the chapel's fellowship hall after participating in a thanksgiving service to mark Jamaica's 49th year of Independence. - JIS Photos
Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen (second right and right) pose for a photograph with former United States Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell and his wife, Alma, and Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks (left), at a dinner hosted by the ambassador in honour of Sir Patrick and Lady Allen at her official residence in Chevy Chase, Maryland, on Sunday, August 7.
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Washington (JIS):

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, speaking in Washington, DC, at the Jamaican Independence Service of Thanksgiving on Sunday, August 7, called his compatriots to a sense of purpose in helping to build a more cohesive, inclusive and just society.

"It is our mandate as citizens," Sir Patrick stressed, as he greeted the more than 400 Jamaicans and friends gathered at Howard University's Dunbarton Chapel in a hearty atmosphere of thanksgiving, jubilee and worship.

Jamaica's ambassador to the United States, Audrey Marks, welcomed the governor general on his first visit with the Jamaican diaspora in the US capital region since he assumed office.

Sir Patrick, who was accompanied by Lady Allen, spoke of the need "to build on that legacy" of the pioneers, heroes, and early nation-builders of Jamaica's Independence, who did not despair in the face of great adversity.

Noting that as "the journey continues" (which was the official theme of Independence this year), the service of all Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora remains in high demand. The governor general then called on all compatriots - at home and abroad - to take the example from those early heroes who "affirmed what was right with Jamaica and used that to fix what was wrong with Jamaica".

He also cited the legacy of the courageous ancestors, stressing that like they did, "we must also believe in the potential of Jamaica and Jamaicans to succeed". He went on to describe the ultimate objective of a society in which every Jamaican, at home and in the diaspora, can truly call Jamaica "the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business".

Independence message

Ambassador Marks, besides welcoming her compatriots from Baltimore, Virgina and the Washington, DC, area as well as friends, representatives of the US government including the congress and members of the diplomatic corps, read Prime Minister Bruce Golding's Independence message in which he paid tribute to the Jamaican diaspora.

The prime minister said in this 49th year of being fully in charge of our common destiny would be best engaged by all Jamaicans together to "renew our commitment to fulfilling the goals that were set before us by those visionary men and women who prepared the way and on whose shoulders we stand today".

In delivering the sermon, general secretary of the Jamaica Baptist Union, the Reverend Karl B. Johnson, sounded the call for Jamaicans to "exemplify moral and spiritual ideals that are linked with the heritage being

Asserting that Jamaicans "were called upon to imbibe certain moral and spiritual lessons, which were as integral to life as air is to breathing," Johnson argued that those moral and spiritual lessons formed part of our character development and the citizenship, which was individually and collectively displayed and, as a result, became a tremendous testimonial to our national identity.

The first lesson was read by Sir Patrick, with the second lesson by the ambassador of St Kitts and Nevis, Jacinth Henry-Martin, with the third and fourth lessons read by Master Tristan Gabay and immediate past president of the Jamaican Nationals Association, Dr Jacqueline Payne-Borden.

Funds raised from the offering collected at the service have been earmarked for charities in Jamaica: the Jamaica Christian Boys' Home, Jamaica AIDS Support Foundation and St Elizabeth Infirmary.

Following the church service, Ambassador Marks hosted a reception where the governor general and Lady Allen had an opportunity to meet with members of the Jamaican diaspora and friends of Jamaica.

Later that evening, Ambassador Marks hosted a dinner in the governor general's honour at her official residence. Among the guests were former United States secretary of state and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell and his wife, Alma.