Shelly-Ann Thompson, Staff Reporter

( L - R ) Munn, Barnes

Having suffered a stroke, former politician and director of the Mavis Bank Coffee Factory, Keble Munn, had slightly slurred speech when he spoke to the The Gleaner yesterday.

Still, he was able to explain his joy in receiving the National Honour of the Order of Jamaica for his contribution to agriculture at today's National Honours and Awards ceremony.

"I feel good receiving something good for something done," 87-year-old Munn said.

A former Cabinet minister, Mr. Munn was previously bestowed with the Commander of the Order of Distinction (CD).

Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, saluted Mr. Munn for receiving the award.

"The Jamaica Agricultural Society lauds the work of this great Jamaican who has led the repositioning of the Jamaican coffee industry on the world market over the last 50 years," he said.

Though suffering from ill health, Mr. Munn wants to step freely without the aid of a wheelchair to the podium for the award.

His wife Beverly Munn said: "He is happy about everything; he kept talking about it all day (yesterday). A while ago, he wanted to try on his suit again."

Similarly, eight-year-old Don-Christopher Barnes' family was overjoyed.

Don-Christopher, who saved his friend from drowning on August 20, is to receive from the Governor-General, the Badge of Honour for Gallantry.

His mother, Christine Barnes, said that the Stella Maris Preparatory School student was indecisive about which of two suits, one of which is by famed design house Gucci, to wear to the ceremony.

FAMILY OVERJOYED

"Today, he went to Upper Cut Barbers and got his hair cut," she said yesterday. Mrs. Barnes added: "He is so excited and we all are."

The celebrations for the youngster will continue after the ceremony with a dinner. There, Don-Christopher is expected to cut a cake decorated with the cartoon character, Superman.

still preparing

Meanwhile, workers were busy putting final touches on the National Indoor Sports Centre for the event that begins at 9:00 a.m. The heritage celebrations, originally scheduled for the lawns of King's House, was shifted to the sports centre because of uncertainty regarding weather conditions.

Cricket umpire Steve Bucknor; Bishop Herro Blair; banker William 'Bill' Clarke; Professor Edwin Jones; public servants Dorothy Pine-McLarty and Adrian Strachan, will be bestowed with the Order of Jamaica - the fourth-highest award.

Some 107 Jamaicans will be conferred with national honours at the ceremony.

shelly-ann.thompson@gleanerjm.com