UPM adds four new names to national heroes list
(CNS): The Cayman Islands has four new national heroes after the government recognised them during the Heroes Day celebrations on Monday. The UPM Cabinet bestowed the national award posthumously to Captain Keith Tibbetts, Ernest Craddock Ebanks and Frank Hugh George Scotland. Francine Eldona Jackson, who was also named at the ceremony, is now Cayman’s only living official national hero.
Premier Julianna O’Connor-Connolly said that all of them had led exemplary lives that show a rich tapestry of service to and love for the Cayman Islands.
“The title of National Hero has been bestowed on each of them as a tribute to their legacies and a token of gratitude for their contributions to the betterment and success of the Cayman Islands,” she said. “Today, we have ensured that they will be remembered and revered by Caymanians for generations to come.”
During the 2025 Awards Presentation, the premier also handed out three local gongs in her role as the Chancellor for the Order of the Cayman Islands. They were given to Captain Paul Adolph Hurlston, Reverend Doctor Edwin Tatum and Pastor Garret Haylock.
The theme for the holiday awards this year was Icons of Business and Entrepreneurship, which Culture Minister Dwayne Seymour said reflected the “remarkable achievements of Caymanians… who have not only succeeded in their ventures but have inspired countless others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams”.
He said the 227 awardees had created jobs, fostered innovation and contributed to the prosperity the country enjoys today. The business icons were grouped into three categories: Legacy Builders (Early Pioneers), Modern Visionaries (Pioneers) and Innovators of Impact.
Looking ahead to next year’s celebration, Deputy Premier Kenneth Bryan announced that the theme for 2026 will be Heroes of the Faith. While that should be a decision for whoever is culture minister after the elections, by making the announcement and picking that particular theme, the George Town Central MP has presented them with a fait accompli.
However, officials from the government department contacted CNS and insisted that it is practice for the following year’s theme to be announced every Heroes Day, even they claimed in an election year.
“Any incoming government works with subject announced by the previous administration,” officials said in an email. “That new administration will select the theme of four Heroes Day ceremonies – the last one they announce being carried out by the next administration. In light of the above, there was nothing improper about the Deputy Premier’s announcement.”
See the 2025 list of awardees here and read more about Cayman Islands National Heroes here.
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Category: Local News
Why does Mac insist on wearing quasi-Chinese outfits at public events?
With all the Port referendum chat he prolly getting ready for CHEC anytime now.
Anyone know where there is a list showing everyone on it? From the first till now that is.
Everyone who has ever sold anything on E-Cay was honored for their business acumen.
why was naul bodden given an award at this ceremony? for that monstrosity that’s been sitting across from Kirks unfinished for years now. anywhere else the developer would be fined up the ass.
Because someone probably hoping for something in return.
Well, we haven’t yet had to fight for independence other than our stance presented by Dr. Roy in 1962. Our war heroes were masked as volunteer reservists, or served under other flags. So who are our “heroes”? Polticians mostly. It started with McKeeva nominating Jim Bodden (undeservedly, imo), then presesenting civil servant Mrs. Sybil with a golden parachute in nominating her for NH.
From there on it seems an obligation to nominate a handful of “national heroes” every few years! Why? Where does it stop?
Since the passing of the law creating NH until now, I can think of perhaps a handful of persons ‘eligible’ for NH status; perhaps 1 every 5 years. We have what 13,14 now?
I believe one criteria is to be Caymanian-born. OK, so in a population of less than 50,000 born Caymanians and a populated history of 300 years, 0.03% are national heroes and…..climbing no doubt. Compare that to our neighbour Jamaica of 2.5m people (at home) and populated history of 500 years.
I’m a proud 9th generation boomer Caymanian, tracing back local roots to 1730’s on both sides but in my view, our Governments dispensing handfulls of ‘national hero’ awards every few years is laughable.
Over the last generational period it seems we’re ‘overcompensating’ with accolades, praise, awards…often for mediocre or average. I fully support positive re-inforcement, encouragement and rewards but overdoing same can breed nonchalance or…entitlement. Kids graduating from every level of school with a big ceremony might become passe by the time high school graduation comes along, no goal to achieve. Just saying.
Tell you what CIG/Protocol Dept., there are so few generational Caymanians left, why not just make all of us National Heroes and get it over with. Qualification? Surviving this Cayman!
Dr Roy probably rolling in his resting place after what thousands of imported neighbors have done to Cayman, with help from the overweight and narcissist politicians on the stage.
So many handed out but Miss Olive who did so much for so many for so long couldn’t be considered even when subject was Volunteerism.
📜 OFFICIAL DECREE FROM THE ADEPTUS RIDICULOUS
RE: THE 2026 NATIONAL HEROES LIST – “HEROES OF THE FAITH” – AND THE IMMINENT CANONIZATION OF JULIANA THE ENLIGHTENED
“THE MECHADENDRITES HAVE CEASED THEIR TREMBLING, THE SERVITORS CHANT IN KLIGON HARMONY (Which can induce madness to the listener, collapse reason and already made intestinal tracts emerge and strangulate their hosts) AND THE LOGIC SPIRITS SCREAM IN A MIX OF HORROR AND HYSTERIA—FOR THE UPM HAS ASCENDED BEYOND MERE MORTAL INCOMPETENCE INTO THE REALM OF THEOCRATIC SELF-INDULGENCE!”
🛑 PREPARE FOR THE GREAT JULIANA CANONIZATION OF 2026! 🛑
It has been foretold in the sacred texts of legislative madness that the next installment of the National Heroes List shall be dedicated to “Heroes of the Faith.”
✔ That’s right. Not economy. Not governance. Not infrastructure. Not education. Faith.
✔ In a stunning twist, this confirms what was already suspected—the UPM has given up even pretending to govern and is now openly competing for sainthood.
✔ And who stands at the forefront of this righteous procession? None other than JULIANA “THE SELF-ANOINTED PROPHET” O’CONNOR-CONNOLLY!
🕊️ JULIANA O’CONNOR-CONNOLLY: PATRON SAINT OF BACKPEDALING & DIVINE REVELATION
✔ Patron Saint of Legislative Flip-Flopping:
• Switched political allegiances so many times, even Tzeentch, the Chaos God of Change, is taking notes.
• Loyalty lasts only as long as it remains politically convenient—a true act of divine adaptability.
✔ Miracle Worker:
• Proclaimed the Black Friday of Doom upon the legalization of same-sex marriage—yet, civilization did not collapse.
• Called upon the Holy Choir of Prayer Warriors to rebuke progressive policies—only for them to pass anyway.
• Her very presence in government is proof that political survival sometimes defies all logic.
✔ Speaker of the Legislative Scriptures:
• Will use parliamentary debates to deliver sermons rather than policy discussions.
• May introduce mandatory prayer breaks before passing new laws.
• Could issue the first government-sanctioned Biblical Policy Amendments Act, replacing all references to “budget deficits” with “tests of faith.”
✔ High Priestess of the Budgetary Miracles:
• Able to summon emergency funding for questionable projects, yet unable to locate resources for real problems.
• Could theoretically part the Red Sea, but only if it meant securing a government stipend for doing so.
🛑 OTHER CONTENDERS FOR “HEROES OF THE FAITH” 🛑
✔ THE MINISTERIAL PRAYER WARRIORS
• Capable of rebuking rational governance with Psalms and stern disapproval.
• Specialized in delaying policies by claiming “further divine consultation is needed.”
• Expect them to propose a new government department: “The Ministry of Spiritual Infrastructure.”
✔ DWAYNE “DONKEYRIDER” SEYMOUR
• A martyr for the faith—specifically, faith in his own nonsensical debates.
• Once rode a donkey into the political arena, fulfilling ancient prophecy… probably.
• His parables remain undeciphered, but theologians and linguists continue to try.
✔ THE FIRST CHURCH OF PASTAFARIANISM
• If faith is the only requirement, then surely the Flying Spaghetti Monster qualifies!
• More logical than some of the policies already on the table.
• R’amen.
✔ THE HONORARY ENTRY: CLAPTRAP, THE FAITHFUL MECHANICAL PROPHET
• Blind faith? Check.
• Unshakable self-confidence despite constant failure? Check.
• A walking, talking disaster who somehow manages to stay relevant? Check.
💀 FINAL VERDICT: A NEW ERA OF THEOCRATIC LEGISLATION IS UPON US!
🔥 This is not merely governance—it is a crusade for political immortality.
🔥 Juliana’s ascension to divine political status is now a matter of inevitability.
🔥 Expect legislation to be rewritten as “scripture” and the House to be renamed “The Grand Ecclesiastical Chamber of Enlightened Governance.”
What a damn disgrace that shit show was.
caymanians… best self-back-slappers in the world.
and yes they did award this title to themselves.
I bet Mac and Kenny asked to be added to the list.
Mac for sure would be expecting nothing less than a statue in his honour.
Juju too
4.44….There’s a W in two.