Courtesy of: The Morning News
His Excellency, Governor Fredis Refunjol, the monarchy’s official representative on Aruba, had the pleasant task of decorating members of the Aruban community, initiating them into the Order of the House of Orange. The decoration and “knighting” of various individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Aruba, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands takes place every year in conjunction with the King’s Day celebrations.
This year, 16 individuals received decorations, of which four were designated “Ridder” or “Knights in the Order of Orange Nassau” and the remainder were “Lid” or “Members in the Order of Orange Nassau.” Those receiving “Knighthoods” were Professor Dr. Wim Rutgers, PhD, a scholar of linguistics, who catapulted Papiamento literature into the international spotlight. Noted news anchor for WJLA-TV out of Washington, DC and founder of the National Association of Black Journalists, Maureen Bunyan, who was born and raised on Aruba, was also knighted. Two other women, Carmen Kock-Herrera, a noted actress and Lucia Kelly, who has spent more than 40 years involved in the social development of Aruba, join their ranks as Ridders.
Those receiving the title of “Lid” were Mrs. S Arends, Mrs. L. M. Carrion, or Sister Luci, Mr. J.M.A. Grovell, Mrs. E R. Harms, Mr. R.M. Kock, Mrs. M. de Korte, Mr. R. S. Leysner, Mrs. H.U. Mohamed, Mr. J. R. Quijada, Mr. L. R. Ras, Mrs. N.D. Croes, and Mrs. J. R. Kelly. Uniformly, those honored were noted for decades of community service, volunteering with various foundations to assist the physically, mentally and socially challenged.
Of the 16 recipients, only 11 could be present at the Santa Therista Center on Thursday, April 24, to receive their medals. Their decorations were proudly displayed at the Governor’s Ball conducted for them on Friday evening, April 25, after which they will be stowed away.
