NASSAU, Bahamas -- Twenty Bahamian recipients of The Queen’s Birthday Honours, 2008, were presented with their medals during an investiture ceremony at Government House on Thursday, September 24, 2009.

Governor General His Excellency Arthur D. Hanna presented the medals.

Receiving the insignia of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE) (Civil Division) (CBE) were Sen. the Hon. Vincent Vanderpool Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation; and Wendy Craigg, Governor of The Central Bank of The Bahamas.

The insignia of Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) were Dr. George H. Sherman, for his contribution to medicine; Dr. Davidson Hepburn, a former Ambassador to the United Nations; and Sylvia E. Scriven, a former MP for Ann’s Town, for her contribution to politics.

The recipients of the Most Excellent Order of The British Empire (M.B.E.) were Mrs. Marina Glinton, Mr. John Campbell Albury, Mr. Frank Russell, Mr. Edwin Velock Brown, Mr. Oswald Marshall, Ms. Yvonne B. Isaacs and Mr. Wilbert Braynen.

The Queen’s Police Medal went to Christopher Noel McCoy, Retired Acting Deputy Commissioner of Police; and Willard Minzo Cunningham, Chief Superintendent of Police.

Presented with the British Empire Medal (BEM) (Civil Division) were Ms. Beryl Adams, Mr. Laurin Knowles, Mrs. Melvern Bootle-Cornish, Rev. Newton Williamson, Ms. Barbara Darville, Mrs. Joanna Newton-Russell, Ms. Felamease Sawyer, Mrs. Dolly Mills and Mr. George Russell.

The Governor General thanked the recipients for their contributions to The Bahamas.

“Honourees, you exemplify those characteristics and qualities that make a nation proud,” the Governor General said. “You’ve enriched the lives of so many Bahamians with your generosity.  You’ve put country before self in so many instances and for this, we say a heartfelt thank you.”

Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham said that in an effort to secure its future and national identity, a nation must take steps such as this. 

“All nations, in an effort to secure their futures and the conservation, cultivation and promotion of their national identity and indigenous culture, must endeavour to ensure their futures efforts taken are conducive to nation building,” said Mr. Ingraham.

He said to this end, the Government of The Bahamas continues with the tradition of recognizing deserving Bahamians with the Queen’s Birthday honours.

Mr. Ingraham said: “When our founding fathers, the Governor General included, sought to achieve independence, they made a determination to retain the Queen of Britain as Queen of The Bahamas as part of Bahamian heritage and legacy.  Their determination has not been altered.”

The Prime Minster also invited Bahamians to assist the government in identifying individuals who have contributed toward the political, intellectual, business, sport and cultural development of the country.

 “Each year, the government is given a quota of awards which Her Majesty confers on the recommendation of the Government of The Bahamas,” he said.  “These awards may be granted either at New Year’s or June.  Those honoured this morning represents the first batch of recipients of the honours since the installation of the FNM Government in 2007.”

Photo 1: Recipients of the of the Queen’s Birthday Honours pose for a group shop during a gala ceremony at Government House on Thursday, September 24, 2009.  Pictured in the foreground from left: Secretary to the Governor General, Diana Lightbourne; Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham; Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur D. Hanna and President of The Bahamas Christian Council, Rev. Patrick Paul.  (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson) 
 
Photo 2: Governor General His Excellency Sir Arthur D. Hanna addresses recipients of the Queen’s Birthday Honours at a gala ceremony at Government House on Thursday, September 24, 2009.  Also pictured is Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham. (BIS Photo/Letisha Henderson). 

Photo 3: Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham addresses recipients of the 2008 Queen's birthday honours during a gala ceremony held at Government House on Thursday, September 24.  (BIS Photo/Peter Ramsay).