George Price Remembered 3 Years Later

The Father of the Nation, George Price was remembered today across the country. September nineteenth, the day on which he passed away three years ago, has been set aside as National Service Day.  In Belize City, the officials of the party that Price led headed to the Lord Ridge Cemetery where they placed wreaths by his burial site. The current leader, Francis Fonseca, and the former leader, Said Musa, both paid tribute to Price. Duane Moody reports.

Duane Moody, Reporting

It’s been three years since the passing of the Father of the Nation and former leader of the People’s United Party, George Cadle Price. At the age of ninety-two, Price passed away and was laid to rest at the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City. Today, P.U.P. executives and supporters, relatives as well as students and scouts gathered around his grave where wreaths were laid at his tomb. Speaking on behalf of the Price family today was party chairman, Henry Usher.

Henry Usher

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

“In this anniversary and every year, we must reflect on what we are and who we are as a country and what we want to achieve going forward. And I think that it is most important for you young people to hear the message that George Price said fifty years ago of what it means t be a Belizean. That message was that we must look out for each other, we must build our country and we must be faithful to our god.”

Said Musa

Said Musa, Fort George Area Rep.

“George Price was a nation builder, a nation builder. He built this nation along with the support of the people. And as he said in one of his poems, little people have tried and turned away. Nation building is a task for giants and you little people who are here with us today will one day become giants when you become nation builders.”

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader

Francis Fonseca

“We have put greater effort into organizing our tribute to Mister Price, if you like, but I also think that it is a reflection of the times that we are living in. I think increasingly people are remembering and reflecting on the leadership of Mister Price and remembering how much he stood for unity in our nation at a time in 2014 when we seem to be so divided on many issues. So I even think in our own party and in the wider society, there is a sense of longing for George Price’s leadership, his commitment to Belize that seems to be lacking today in 2014. So I think that in and of itself generates more interests and more people wanting to come out and wanting to pay tribute to Mister Price. So I think that is what you see.”

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. And the P.U.P. says it will continue with the tradition.

Francis Fonseca

“Every year, we carry out service activities in our respective constituencies. So across the country, it is a mandate from the party, the executive of the party that we carry out community service projects in all our constituencies across the country. So each year in my own constituency of Freetown we do so. Last year we built a fence for one of our residents in Freetown; the year before, we built a verandah for an elderly woman. This year we are vesting families and making a contribution to the YWCA.”

So around the country today, various community outreach initiatives have been undertaken in memory of the Father of the Nation, George Cadle Price. Reporting for News Five, I am Duane Moody.