On Sunday, March 11, Governor General and Chancellor of the Order of Saint Lucia, His Excellency Sir Neville Cenac, made 37 appointments to the Order of Saint Lucia in respect of Independence Day, 2018.

The Order of Saint Lucia Investiture ceremony has been one of the highlights of Independence celebrations, ever since the National Honours and Awards Act was introduced in 2000. The Act provides for the conferment of awards to individuals of distinguished, outstanding or meritorious service or achievement.

At the event, Senator Mauricia Thomas-Francis, Chairperson of the National Awards Committee, addressed the gathering.

“Persons of all ages, professions, vocations and all walks of life have been so honoured. Today, therefore, is an opportunity to remind ourselves that there are real people behind the great things that are happening in our country; people who rise up to help when the country needs them; people who go way beyond the call of duty to serve by using their God given talents to improve their lives, that of their families and the entire community. These are the qualities our honorees represent and those before them.”

Senator Thomas-Francis also acknowledged the efforts of those who participated in the National Awards nomination process.

“The National Awards Committee embarked on an islandwide road show to sensitize the population and to ensure that nominations were fully representative. This thrust resulted in a significantly high number of nominations in all categories comparatively speaking.”

The Saint Lucia Cross, was conferred on Hon. Dr. Joseph Emsco Remy for distinguished service in the field of medicine and community service.  Hon. Dr.  Emsco Remy began his service in the field of medicine in 1977, but perhaps it is in the field of ophthalmology that he has made his most significant contribution. He became the first ophthalmologist in Saint Lucia in 1987.