Today would have been the 100th birthday of the Father of the Nation, George Price. And to honor his importance to the the country's history, and to the PUP, party faithful went to his gravesite in the Lord Ridge Cemetery this morning for a remembrance ceremony and a wreath laying.
A number of speakers at the ceremony discussed his life of service, and his leadership.
Here's what 2 of his colleagues, who are still alive, had to say about Price the visionary leader.
Sylvia Flores - Colleague of Rt. Hon. Price
"He was, as so many persons can attest to, a very humble servant of the people, a man never consumed by his ego, a man concerned about the plight of the poor of our society, a man who was concerned about the need for the education of our young people, a man who was willing to sacrifice his immediate happiness and comfort for our people, and a man who thoroughly believed in dedicating his entire life in service of his Belizean family."
Hector Silva - Colleague of Rt. Hon. Price
"We went to Arenal, and he began opening every pot midday. San Pedromo and myself - and he lifted the pot covers, and he saw what they were cooking. So, we told him, stop it, man, because that looks bad. No, he said, that's where you see the economy of a village, by the pot. I mean thats - it's genius."
"George Price was [a] mystic. Up to now, nobody can understand who the real George Price was. The man always had something new to teach by example, to teach by words, and to scold about. Oh, he used to scold, you know. If you think you will make money in the PUP, get out. And what impressed me, and will impress me until I die is this. Fellow Belizeans, the independence of Belize is not for negotiation, not for arbitration, not for litigation."
Bernard Wagner - Mayor, Belize City Council
"Just last week, the question was asked on social media. Who is George Price to you? And the answers were many, and I'll go through a few of the answers. Some said 'hero', 'father of Belize and its independence'. Some others said 'a revolutionary and a determined man, relentless in his pursuit of our right to be an independent nation.' Others said 'the Belizean hero', 'National builder.'"
"But the one that one that really stunned me was someone who said, '1 who, even though I'm a UDP, I'm extremely proud to call father of my nation'."
Hon. John Briceno - Leader of the Opposition
"It is important for us as Belizeans to always take time out and to reflect on the life of the father of the nation, George Price, what he stood for, the work that he did, the love that he always had for this country, and the humility that he displayed doing the work in service to others. So, for us, it is important to be here to celebrate that day, as Belizeans, and for everybody to take the time out to once again remember what a good man he was, what a Godly man he was, and all that he did for his country while he was alive."
George Price was born in Belize City in 1919.
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