National Day of Service in Memory of the Father of the Nation
Activities were held across the country today to mark National Service Day. At the Lord Ridge Cemetery, the People’s United Party held a wreath laying ceremony to honour the Father of the Nation, George Price who dedicated his life to service of the country. Price’s humility and lasting legacy for his accomplishment of independence were at the core of tributes in his honour by former PM Said Musa, P.U.P. leader John Briceño and Belize City Mayor Bernard Wagner. Here is a report with Hipolito Novelo.
George Price
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
Eight years ago, the Right Honorable George Cadle Price departed this earth, leaving behind a legacy of immeasurable contributions and lasting inspiration that to this day is celebrated and cherished. In his honour, National Service Day is observed every year on September nineteenth and on this day; the passing of Price is commemorated with a wreath laying ceremony at the Lords Ridge Cemetery in Belize City.
Bernard Wagner, Belize City Mayor
“It is known to us all of us that he was a stalwart Christian, unrelenting patriot and above all a remarkable human being. We often measure a man’s success by things that satisfied our material interest. We look at his bank account, sometimes his estate, his children’s inheritance and so forth.”
Bernard Wagner
But Price had little to none material interest. He achieved true success, lasting success that has been inked in books for generations to come.
Bernard Wagner
“He have all his time, he gave all his energy and capabilities to us. If happiness really is measured by services he must have left this earth the most joyous person. The Right Honorable George Cadle Price has left us with priceless gifts that will last an eternity and I pray that he continues his rest peacefully.”
Price’s most notable contribution, one which can be surpassed by no one, was the paving the path and achievement of Belize Independence. He was later known as Father of the Nation.
Said Musa
Said Musa, Former Prime Minister
“George Price, our national hero and Father of the Nation was a good and great leader. Even his worse political detractors concede that he was and will remain one of the greatest leaders of all times. The present and outgoing Prime Minister at the state funeral of the right honorable George Price eight years ago would say that the P.U.P. will never have another leader like George Price. But then country will never have another prime minister like George Price.”
And while Price was a great leader, he was a man was great humility.
John Briceño
John Briceño, Leader, P.U.P.
“All through his life Mr. Price wanted us to keep working and make our country better. He did not say let us wait for someone else come and build it for us. He believed we could build it ourselves. Mr. Price always believed in Belize and he always believed in us. When I remember about Mr. Price taking on the British and Guatemala, it reminds me of a story from Don Chico Urbina from Orange Walk told me once. He said in the fifties when Mr. Price started and walking and visiting all the country and going to the villages I took him to a village, San Lazaro. At that time in San Lazaro there was no roads. So they had to walk through a picado, a little path in the bush. He took him to San Lazaro. When he got to San Lazaro the people were shocked to see who Mr. Price was. Mr. Price was tall, he was stately but he was not a big man. The people in San Lazaro and looked at Don Chicho and said, this is the man who is going to lead us to independence? This is the man who will fight the British? But as you all said, Mr. Price was a warrior.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo
