By Charles Gladden
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 18, 2025
Nineteen Belizeans were honored at this year’s Tribute to Belizean Patriots, which was held on Wednesday night, September 17, at St. John’s Anglican Cathedral in Belize City.
“Each of the patriots being recognized tonight has been selflessly embodying what it means to believe in Belize; they do so without thinking about it. They have shown that love of country is something done [not] once a year; it is something practiced every day and consistently demonstrated in the little things they do to build strong communities, to protect the vulnerable, the environment, and nurture Belize to be the best in all her glorious diversity,” said Her Excellency Dame Froyla Tzalam, Governor General of Belize.
“… These patriots have regular jobs and families, and yet they still chose to contribute outside of those responsibilities to give more, to be more. I know their work will continue even after we acknowledge them today,” she added.
Below are the lists of female and male patriots receiving the Meritorious Service Award:
Meritorious Service Award – Female: Myrtle Banner – Education; (posthumous) Gudelia Pop Cowo – Nursing and Community Service; Dr. Jane Crawford – Medicine; Sylvia Gillet – Community Service; Cynthia Gabb Guild – Education and Medicine; Jamie Lee Usher – Education, Sports, and Technology; Felicia Nunez – Community Service; Joy Ross – Education; Dr. Cynthia Thompson – Education.
Meritorious Service Award – Male: (posthumous):Escandar Bedran – Business; Dr. Mario Estradabran – Education and Community Service; Dave Edward Foreman – Education; (posthumous) Lionel ‘Chocolate’ Heredia – Environment; Elden ‘Stone Jam’ Hyde – Culture; Godfrey Sosa, Jr. – Education, Sports, and Technology; Paul Walker – Environment; Emith Young – Culture.
Two Belizeans were also awarded the Order of Distinction: Antonio Zabaneh and (posthumous) Edison Seferino Coleman.
