The Governor General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Patrick Allen and Mrs. Allen at a Recognition Ceremony in their honour at the Mount Sinai Seventh Day Adventist Church in Orlando, Saturday (April 25).
Speaking at a special recognition ceremony, held in his honour at the Mount Sinai Seventh-day Adventist Church in Orlando, Florida, recently, Dr Allen said the Diaspora had contributed significantly to Jamaica’s development.
He called on Jamaicans, at home and abroad, to put aside religious and political differences in the interest of nation building.
Expressing confidence that the country will be restored to wholesomeness, Dr. Allen told his audience that Jamaica was grateful to its Diaspora for their contribution, and urged them to continue to be instrumental in this regard.
The Governor-General and his wife, Mrs. Denise Allen, were in Florida as guests of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, of which they are both senior members.Over 1,700 well-wishers participated in the ceremony.
On arrival, Dr. Allen inspected a Pathfinders’ Honour Guard, consisting of church troupes, followed by an international pageantry, showcasing a flag parade of 20 nations.
During the two-hour programme, themed, “Out of Many, One People”, Dr. Allen, his wife and guests enjoyed musical recitals from several community groups, including: the Mount Sinai Academy; the Beryl Wisdom Academy; the Central Florida Mass Choir; and the Forest Lake Academy Orchestra
Gifts were presented by representatives of Jamaican community associations in central Florida, including: Mr. Wayne Golding, President of the Caribbean Bar Association of Central Florida; Mr. Herbert Dawkins, President of the Jamaican American Association; the Reverend Ralston Nembhard; and media personality, Ms. Sandy Isaacs.
Earlier, the Governor General attended a church service, attended by nearly 1,500 Jamaicans and friends of the Diaspora at the Mount Sinai SDA Church.
Both events were officiated by Pastor Herbert Davis of Mount Sinai SDA Church. Their Excellencies were also hosted at a private reception by the Florida Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and the South Eastern Conference of the SDA.