The ceremony was simple, yet dignified.- introductions, prayer, welcome, addresses, cultural presentations, special music. After The Prime Minister gave the Parish Custodes their medals, the Custos gave out the remaining medals as a thousand names were called. On the surface i000 medals given out in one day may seem quite a few; yet, in a country of 2,000,000 population, the percentage is really very small. After the presentation of the medals, the National Anthem was sung, bringing together over 3000 people into an emotion- al unity that has seldom been experienced. Being so close to Christmas, and as dusk was rapidly approaching, a large Christmas tree was lighted, the symbolism meaning that all those newly decor- ated would return to their homes and vocations bringing light into the part of the island in which they lived. The medal itself is round, 2 1/4 inches in diameter, and made of nickel plated with 24 carat gold. It is attached to a ribbon by a small ring, through which a larger ring is attached to the rib- bon. The statutes state that it can be worn either around the neck or on the left breast. However, the medals were presented with a neck ribbon, and this is the only way in which I have seen them, either worn, framed, or in their presentation box. The obverse has the Jamaican flag, a pineapple at the bottom, and the inscription "The National Flag of Jamaica." The reverse has the flag of The Prime Minister in the center. The inscription reads "Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation, 1962 - 6th August - 1983." The ribbon is 1 1/4 inches wide in the colors of the nation: a black center of 1/2 inch, a yellow stripe 3/16 inch wide on each side of the black, with two outside stripes of green, also 3/16 inch wide. The medal was made by Skinner and Co.~ 35 Old Bond Street, London. There is no certificate. On that very special Sunday in December, the medal was given for the following: Classification Number Custodes i0 Community Service - Agriculture 45 Community Service - Business and Tourism 29 Business and Religion 1 Communication and Culture 116 Community Development 410 Community Service - Education 193 Community Service - Health 129 Community Service - Politics 19 Community Service - Religion 69 Community Service - Sports 17 Since that Sunday, The Prime Minister has reserved the privilege of awarding the medal to those individuals who have distinguished themselves, usually in an international arena. The two most recent awards have been to international sports figures, both boxers: WBA Junior Middleweight Champion Michael McCallum (3 June 1986), and 19 BOXER LLOYD HONEYGHAN RECEIVING THE MEDAL FROM PRIME MINISTER EDWARD SEAGA. World Undisputed Welterweight Champion Lloyd Honeyghan (i0 November 1986), and W.B.C. Heavyweight Champion Trevor Berbick (i0 April 1986), all Jamaican born. In my two years living in Jamaica, I have had occasion to visit many of its leading citizens. As I was sitting in one office, I saw a picture of the individual with The Prime Minister. I saw a ribbon around his neck and asked if that was when he received the Order of Distinction. He replied, "No, that was my special Sunday Medal, one of the thousand." That was my introduction to this unique medal. More and more I noticed pictures in the offices of the recipients. Each one of these people was very proud that he was chosen from his peers to receive the honor. All remember that "very special Sunday" with deep emotional fondness. Mr. F. A. Douce, when interviewing a professor at the University of the West Indies before his investiture into the Commander ranks of the Order of Distinction, said that the professor told him that it was nice to receive the C.D., but the greatest honor that he had ever recei- ved was the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation. I know 37 people who were recipients, and they all say the same - it was their day, a special Sunday they will never forget. I would like to thank for his assistance in the preparation of this article Mr. F. A. Douce, Secretary General of The Orders, Chancery of The Orders of The Societies of Honour, Office of the Prime Mini- ster, Kingston, Jamaica, who supplied many of the illustrations. I also wish to thank Mrs. Major Katherine Townsend, whose husband, Major Alfred Townsend, received the Medal on that special Sunday. Major and Mrs. Townsend, both Salvation Army Officers, served with distinction in field and headquarters appointments throughout Ja- ma±ca. The medal and case illustrating this article were present- ed to Major Townsend, who has now been promoted to his eternal reward. 2O ALL ROADS LEAD TO THE 28TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION N AUGUST 6-9, I987 [ ~ST CITIES 3UST ~O TRAFFIC LIGHTS AWAY, VIA INTERSTATESt ......... [miles}...[routes} ......... ALBANY ~83~ 90-~, 71-S CHICA~ 336: Skyway, Tpks. E, 71-N PHILADELPHIA ~18: Tpks.W, 71-N ST. LOUIS #50: 70-E, 71-N LOUISVILLE 3#0: 71-N ATLANTA 630: 75-N, 71-N NEW Y~K #75: 80-W, 71-N WASHINGTON 376: 270, 70-N, Tpks.W, 71-N INDIANAPOLIS 307: 70-E, 71-N RICH~ND #82: 95-N, 270, 70-N, " , " DAVENPORT #98: 80-E, 71-N TORONTO 285: QEWAY-BuIIato, 90-W, 71- S DETROIT 152: 75-S, Tpk.E, 71-N 21 .