Combined 49 years of service among the two retirees

Jamaica’s embassy in Washington, DC last week bid farewell to two retiring members of staff who served the mission for more than half the number of years since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States 60 years ago.

They are Cornel Graver, chauffeur to the mission, who served the embassy for 34 years, and Shereen James Phillpotts, the office assistant/chef, who served for 15 years.

During the farewell function, Graver, a former JUTA driver, who hails from Mount Salem in Montego Bay, St James, was honoured to have served his country at this level.

Being the longest serving member of staff, he has seen the tremendous improvements made over the years, pointing out that he has served nine ambassadors during his long tenure. For her part, Phillpotts, who hails from Mandeville was elated at working at the Embassy, saying it was a great experience.

She added that the experience gave her the opportunity to serve various ambassadors and represent Jamaica, especially at the annual embassy chef cook-off among all the embassies in Washington, and in which she was always placed in the top five.

Thankful for the experience

She thanked the embassy for giving her the experience to regularly interface with and help Jamaicans in the Diaspora, as well as assisting Jamaica in organising the annual OAS Food Festival, which gives the public a chance to experience the rich diversity of food, music and dances from the countries of the hemisphere.

In giving her tribute, Jamaica’s Ambassador to Washington, Audrey Marks said it was with mixed feelings that she was saying farewell to Graver, whom she described as an institution at the embassy.

She described his tenure at the embassy as that of building relationships at all levels, so much that long after they have left, persons with whom he has interacted, continue to ask about his welfare.