As flowers were laid on the monuments of the nation's seven national heroes yesterday afternoon during a ceremony at National Heroes Park, downtown Kingston, the Jamaica Military Band saluted them with patriotic Jamaican melodies.

A small crowd, consisting of the Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, members of the diplomatic corps, other government officials and students from across the island turned out to celebrate and show their respects to Jamaica's freedom fighters.

Among those who laid floral tributes were Chinese Ambassador Chen Jinghua, Jabari Hastings, Top GSAT student for 2009 and Kerri-Ann Allen, 2009 matriculant of the University of West Indies.

During the floral honours, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Olivia Grange, reminded those gathered of the immeasurable struggles the six men and one woman, now deemed heroes of the nation, endured so Jamaicans could today enjoy freedom and equal opportunities.

Following the floral tributes, students from several primary and secondary schools across the island also paid homage through song, dance and speech during a mini concert.

Good performance

The Papine High School Choir gave a good performance of the songs Welcome to Jamrock and Lion Paw. Clan Carthy High School also gave a hearty rendition of the dub poem 'A Fi Wi Roots', reminding those gathered of the many colourful aspects of the nation's heritage, including food, dance and music.

Milton Foster, a student of Mona Preparatory, and Toni-Ann Boyd of Marymount High School garnered hearty applause from the audience for their outstanding performances.

Young Foster gave an energetic rendition of Bob Marley's Could You Be Loved, matching his lyrics with very skilful dance moves, while Boyd earned a standing ovation after she wooed the crowd with a recital of the poem 'Black Woman Smile'.

The function was concluded with the singing of the national anthem, led by the Jamaican Folk Singers.