MIAMI – Sandra Grant-Griffiths
Consul General Consulate General of Jamaica message of Emancipation and Independence for Jamaican Nationals in South Florida and beyond:
I am privileged to extend warmest greetings to the Jamaican community, and indeed the many well wishers and friends of Jamaica, who have come together to commemorate the 47th Anniversary of our nation’s Independence which includes for us the celebration of Emancipation Day on August 1. We celebrate our National Festival from July 31 to August 6 this year under the theme: “I Believe in Jamaica,” and here in Florida, we have amplified it in the theme of our annual Thanksgiving Service to specifiy the celebration of “Our Nation, our Family, Our Home”.
We celebrate with great pride, and as we mark this august occasion with a variety of community experiences, we do not refute the fact that challenges at many junctures have accompanied our journey. But, equally, none can deny that over these forty-seven years we have earned through the determined efforts of our scholars and political thinkers, our entrepreneurs, our athletes, the exponents of our creative arts – a multiplicity of triumphs that any nation would indeed be proud to claim , all on the merit of our inspired talents . Jamaicans abroad have equally been beacons of achievement in as many fields as they have dared to conquer. Individually and collectively our people contribute positively to world society, here in the United States as elsewhere, and embellish from day to day the lustre of our nation’s accomplishments.
A sense of self, and a blessed and unique ingenuity of spirit and deeds have been traditional hallmarks of our people. We are thankful to our ancestors, our pantheon of national heroes, the ordinary heroes amongst us in our families, who have all shaped our society to the good. We thank the Almighty for the forbearance and fortitude that has sustained our nation thus far. We move forward with certitude that if we hold fast to our worthy traditions, that spirit that we foster in our homeland and share boldly with the world, will lead us to reap just rewards.
Let us celebrate together therefore fully confident that with the strength and maturity of a great nation we will continue to achieve. In this spirit, we join hands and hearts whether at home or from more distant shores, and at the same time renew our faith in our homeland – Jamaica land we love.
Sandra Grant-Griffiths
Consul General
Consulate General of Jamaica
