Juliet Capper, Gleaner Writer'THEIR NAMES Liveth Forever-more' is the inscription at the base of the cenotaph at the National Heroes Park.
Former Prime Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer, like all other patriots who preceded him, will be laid to rest at this historical site. But what is the story behind this national monument?
The National Heroes Park is a 74-acre property that has had three names. It was first referred to as Race Course, then the George VI Memorial Park in 1953 in honour of the late King of England and those who died in World Wars I and II. Originally, the park was part of a property known as Montgomery Pen, which was sold to one Edward Carroll for £1,642 and 10 shillings in 1808.
The Mayor of Kingston provided the finances at the time and after Carroll's death, the property became the possession of the city of Kingston. The park was then dedicated and named in honour of the seven national heroes.
After Independence in 1962, the park was redesigned and named National Heroes Park, and a number of monuments were erected in honour of the heroes. It is designated into different sections: along the northern side of the property is a section reserved for the interment of former Governors-General and Prime Ministers, while the opposite section is reserved for outstanding individuals, such as performing artistes like Dennis Brown and Ranny Williams, who have made contributions to the social, educational and political development of Jamaica.
Burial spots are reserved for distinguished persons based on a bill that was passed in Parliament in 1964 by the Deputy Prime Minister at the time, Sir Donald Sangster.
The first person to be buried in the park is National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey. His body was exhumed in England in 1964, transported to Jamaica and buried in the Eastern side of the park. Next to him is National Hero, Nanny of the Maroons.
PROTOCOLS OBSERVED
There are certain protocols that are observed in the burial of Governors- General and Prime Ministers.
In the past, the National Heroes Park served as a venue for both official and unofficial activities. It was the site of the 1838 Emancipation celebration that marked the end of apprenticeship, and between 1887- 1897, it was the venue of Queen Victoria's Golden and Diamond jubilees.
Before the property became a historical burial park, it featured a circus and was a haven for picnickers. It was also a hot spot for horse racing, hence the original name 'Race Course'. On Sunday afternoons, residents from communities such as Allman Town and Fletchers Land would often visit the park to carouse with friends.
PROFESSIONAL GARDENERS
The park is managed by the National Solid Waste Management Authority Parks Department, which employs a number of professional gardeners and persons from neighbouring communities who help to maintain an ambience at the park. It is said that prisoners made up the maintenance team in the past as well.
Locals and foreigners frequent the National Heroes Park to visit the tombs and enjoy the atmosphere. One of the most attractive features at the park is the exchange of guards that takes place every hour. This colourful ceremony is conducted by privates in the Jamaica Defence Force who will march 15 times in one instance before the cenotaph. At the end of the hour, positions are exchanged to the commands of a Jamaica Defence Force corporal.
