Children rushed to the middle of St George’s Square excitedly picking up cartridges which moments earlier had been fired during the gun salute parade to commemorate Republic Day.
While the youngsters pocketed the mementoes, the Armed Forces of Malta accompanied President George Abela into the presidential palace, where he bestowed the medals for the National Order of Merit.
The ceremony, held at the Palace’s Grand Council Chamber, saw the former French ambassador to Malta, Daniel Rondeau appointed honorary officer of the National Order of Merit; tourists from France increased by 10 per cent during his tenure.
Lieutenant Colonel John William Halinski was made honorary member. In his role as US resident Defence Attaché in Malta, in the early noughties, he was instrumental in strengthening the friendly relationship between Malta and the USA.
Mgr Sylvester Magro, titular Bishop of Salde in Libya, was appointed officer for his humanitarian work during the Libyan revolution and for opting to stay on in Libya during the conflict.
Gozitan hotelier Victor Borg, the owner of Ta’ Ċenċ, Cornucopia and St Patrick’s hotel, was among the members appointed. His special weekend breaks encouraging Maltese to visit Gozo, launched in the early 80s, were deemed as “pioneer”.
George Fenech, chairman of the Tumas Group, was also made member “for contributing to the Maltese economy”.
The following were also appointed as members: Vincent Attard, Nature Trust president; Mario Buhagiar, professor of History of Art; Maria Frendo, the deputy chairperson of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra.; Clare Gerada, a London-based doctor who had been awarded an MBE for services to medicine; Herbert Messina Ferrante, for his contribution in dentistry; and Fr Egidio Mizzi, a biblical scholar.
The Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika went to: Anna and Charles Azzopardi, who are active in the National Foster Care Association; Ahmed Bugre, a Ghanaian naturalised Maltese who is director of the foundation for shelter and support to migrants; children’s author Charles Casha; Helen Margaret Muscat, one of the co-founders of the Action for Breast Cancer Foundation; and Rita and Kevin Vella, a young couple dedicated to the cause of promoting the rights of persons with disability.