Web Site of the Jamaica Defence Force

The Jamaica Defence Force is the proud recipient of The Gleaner Honour Award for 2008 for Public Service. The inscription on the award spelled out that the military was being honoured ‘for its service to Jamaicans in times of crises’. The Gleaner is a leading national newspaper, which has been publishing in Jamaica since 1834.

The Gleaner Honour Award to the Jamaica Defence Force

The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Stewart Saunders, accepted the award on behalf of the JDF at The Gleaner Honour Award presentations held at the Jamaica Pegasus, Kingston, on 10 November 2008. General Saunders was accompanied by his Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Colonel Antony Anderson, the Force Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class One Orlando Levene (most senior soldier in the JDF) and Personnel Officer in charge of Civilians, Ms Cynthia Smickle.

Chief of Defence Staff (centre) Major General Stewart Saunders accepts
The Gleaner Honour Award on behalf of the JDF. He is flanked by
His Excellency The Governor Sir Kenneth Hall (left) and the
Managing Director of The Gleaner Oliver Clarke.

Every member of the JDF, both military and civilian, can reflect with pride on this prestigious ‘Public Service’ award. The public honour signals that the Force’s efforts have not gone unnoticed and the vision of the Force to be relevant to its citizenry is being achieved - ‘To maintain a high quality professional Defence Force that is valued by the nation, a Defence Force that is ready and capable of conducting a range of operations to protect our national interests and the well-being of our citizens’. Since 1949, the Gleaner Company has been recognizing outstanding individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to improving the quality of life in Jamaica, at any time, during the last twelve months prior to the award, or with the likelihood of bringing about such change in the immediate future.

Managing Director of The Gleaner Oliver Clarke (second left, back row)
and Governor-General Sir Kenneth Hall (third right, front row) are
joined by category award winners (from left, front row) Justine Henzell,
Maxine Simpson, Jenefa Wilson, Professor Robert John Lancashire
and Tommy Cowan. In back row (from left) Vice-Chancellor E Nigel Harris,
Earl Jarrett, Usain Bolt, Major General Stewart Saunders,
Chris Bicknell and Hugh Lawson.

There were other organizations and individuals whose performances were honoured; most notable is Jamaica’s top sprinter at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Mr Usain Bolt, who won three gold medals and set a new record in each event.