Garvey supporter Ras Robert Cover - with his red, black and green flag - attends the ceremony for National Heroes in Kingston last week. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Amid the moderate pomp of the ceremony to honour the most hallowed Jamaicans on Heroes Day, one flag stood out in the black, green and gold kaleidoscope of civic pride.

This flag - red, black and green - was held aloft by a petite Rastafarian man, who couldn't resist showing up to honour Jamaica's seven National Heroes at Heroes Park.

The salute to the National Heroes is held annually at the park. Citations are read in their memory and floral tributes placed on their graves.

Lauding Marcus Garvey

Ras Robert Cover told The Gleaner that he came to laud the ground-breaking lobby of Marcus Garvey, who championed black pride and urged repatriation to Africa for economic and cultural independence.

Ras Cover said he attends the ceremony every year recognise to the struggles Africans had undergone during slavery.

"I represent all the suffering black people," he said.

Jamaicans from all walks of life came out to show respect to the six men and one woman dubbed official heroes.

No seating, no problem

Even inadequate seating wasn't enough to turn patrons away, some opting to sit on the lawn, while others stood throughout the ceremony.

Some passers-by, stung by curiosity, deviated from their route, pausing to soak up the late-afternoon celebration.

One such person was Natalie Francis, a resident from the nearby central Kingston community, Fletcher's Land, who was on her routine afternoon walk through the park with her-eight-month-old baby.

It wasn't long though before the loud music proved too much for the baby, and Francis was on the move again.