2 years after his passing, the late father of the nation, George Price, is remembered

George Price

Across the country today, activities were held to honor the late father of the nation George Price, who has been described as the best Prime Minister Belize has ever had. Price passed away two years, but the iconic figure in Belize’s history is still revered.  To mark his passing, the People’s United Party which he led for decades, held a ceremony at his grave site at the Lord Ridge Cemetery where he was laid to rest because he wanted to be among the people. Leaders that succeeded him, as well as family members, spoke of his legacy. Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Two years ago today, the country lost the Father of the Nation, George Cadle Price. Price’s foremost accomplishment is Belize’s independence. Since his passing, September nineteenth has been deemed National Service Day to honor him as well as to continue his legacy of service to country. Today, his party executives and supporters along with school children gathered at his grave site at the Lord Ridge cemetery to lay wreaths at his tomb and honor him. P.U.P. Party Chairman, Henry Charles Usher, spoke on the family’s behalf.

Henry Charles Usher

Henry Charles Usher, P.U.P. Party Chairman

“Mister Price was a blessing to us and this nation. He was a lesson to the world in how to do things right—with honor, with courage and in unity. He treasured his legacy and he lived humbly with the knowledge that he was part of a legend. He was so original with the way he did things. It never bothered him that he was made sport of. It was right so he soldiered on. He had a true sense of self, a sense of purpose that he tried to improve in all of us.”

Former Prime Minister, Said Musa, took up the mantle as leader of the People’s United Party and leader of the country from Price in 1998. Musa gave homage to Price telling the students that Price gave us our identity.

Said Musa

Said Musa, Former Prime Minister

“Mister Price was the man who had the vision to build a new capital for us, Belmopan, and so many other things he did for the Belizean people. But most of all, he gave us an identity. Who are you? A Belizean right? That’s what Mister Price gave us; that identity. All of us, Belizean. And so as we honor him, we pray that his example and his spirit lives on in our new leader, honorable Francis Fonseca, and the People’s United Party and indeed for all Belize so that we can move forward to a better live for all our people.”

But as the years go by, will the legacy of Price wither to dust? The PUP leader, Francis Fonseca says that as a party, they will ensure that that does not happen.

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader

Francis Fonseca

“That would be our failing if that happens. I certainly as the leader of the party, I take personal responsible of ensuring that that does not happen. And I think we have to obviously find creative ways of ensuring that that does not happen. Engaging young people is always a challenging task and getting them to understand and appreciate Mister Price’s work and his role in Belize’s development and formation. And it will be challenging as we move on, but we will have to find creative ways. And I think when we are in a people’s United Party government; I think we will have to take some specific steps to ensure that Mister Price’s legacy and work are properly enshrined in the minds and lives of the Belizean people.”

George Price died at age ninety-two. Duane Moody for News Five.