The Tribute to Belizean Patriots was held last night at the Bliss Center. The evening’s highest honour went fittingly to Phillip Goldson, the man who defined Belizean patriotism in the nationalist era. His son, Phillip Jr. accepted it for his now deceased father.

Phillip Goldson Jr., Accepting National Hero Award for his Father
“Today many times when I meet someone new, I would get a question that goes something like this, ‘how did you get an airport named after you.’ I don’t mind those questions, those questions allow me to explain to people from other countries who the Hon. Phillip Stanley Wilberforce Goldson was and the qualities and values that he had that the Belizean people admired and want to emulate and so I get to spread a little bit of the good news about our Belizean way just a little bit more.”

Rt. Hon. Manuel Esquivel, Receiving Order of Belize
“It is a particular honour to be honoured on the same occasion as the Honourable Phillip Goldson and Mr. Leigh Richardson. Our history, being what it is, seems not to record for the younger generation that Mr. Goldson and Mr. Richardson were and still are the only two bonafide political prisoners that our country has ever seen.”

Lois Young, Receiving Order of Distinction
“It is very gratifying to receive a Belizean award. I have a friend in Jamaica who has a national award from the government of Jamaica. I have to confess I’ve always thought I wonder what it feels like to have that order, it was so magnificent to me. It is a treasure for me. It is irreplaceable.”

Senator Godwin Hulse, Receiving Order of Distinction
“I was never sure and I am never sure of what I am supposed to do. That was never made clear to me in my life. Among all the things I’ve done, the only the thing that was clear is that whatever I do, I think I was directed to do it to the best of my ability to the honour and glory of God and in service to my fellow man and I will continue to do that.”

Walda Richardson Simmons, Niece Leigh Richardson (Order of Distinction),
“Every moment of his working life he contributed to Belize until unfortunately by forces beyond his control and political and patriotic contributions he was as it were exiled from his own country by those notorious minds who plotted to keep him away.”

Major James Requena, Receiving Award for Meritorious Service
“I would also like to thank my wife and my daughter for trusting and having faith in me, the many times I said I will be back from all the numerous bomb threats that I have to deal with and the team that is dealing with in this country.”

Hon. Dean Barrow, Prime Minister
“Tonight’s awardees have by their principled conduct, by their selfless service, by their exemplary behaviour nurtured and serviced and grown the Belizean national spirit.”

Leigh Richardson was unable to make it for his Order of Belize award. In all 13 Belizeans were honoured. The Tribute to Patriots will air on Sunday afternoon here on Channel 7.