Boakai Honors Edwin Llyod -Presidential medal recognizes lifelong national service

MONROVIA – The Government of Liberia, through its Embassy in Washington, D.C., presented a posthumous Presidential Medal to the family of the late Rev. Dr. J. Edwin Llyod Sr. on Friday, honoring his military service, humanitarian leadership, and advocacy for Liberian refugees.

The ceremony, held in the conference room of the Embassy of Liberia, was attended by diplomats, religious leaders, family members, and members of the Liberian community. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Dr. Al‑Hassan Conteh presented the award on behalf of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.

Ambassador Conteh described Rev. Dr. Llyod as a man who embodied courage, integrity, compassion, and self‑less sacrifice. He highlighted the honoree’s more than two decades of service in the Armed Forces of Liberia and his subsequent role as the first Director General of the Bureau of Veteran Affairs, where he worked to support veterans and strengthen public service institutions.

Conteh also emphasized Dr. Llyod’s humanitarian achievements, noting that he helped establish Liberia’s only blood bank, expanded outreach efforts, and mobilized thousands of young Liberians for volunteerism and national service. He recalled the late Rev. Dr. Llyod’s advocacy for Liberian refugees during the civil war, when he established support structures in Côte d’Ivoire that provided food, shelter, education, vocational training, and resettlement assistance to displaced families.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Conteh presented the Presidential Medal to Mrs. Emma Mitchell Llyod, the widow of the late Rev. Dr. Llyod. The award was met with applause from attendees, many of whom had worked alongside the humanitarian.

John F. Llyod, former President of the Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas and eldest son of the honoree, expressed gratitude to President Boakai and the Government of Liberia for recognizing his father’s contributions. He said the family was honored and comforted by the recognition and hoped that younger Liberians would be inspired by his father’s example.

Special Presidential Envoy Ambassador Dr. Emmett Dunn also spoke at the event, noting that Rev. Dr. Llyod’s generosity extended beyond his own community and that many people benefited from his kindness and dedication. He urged attendees to adopt the principles of servant leadership that guided the late humanitarian.

The ceremony was attended by prominent Liberian community and religious leaders, including Sebastian Teclar, President of the Liberian Community Association in the DMV Metropolitan Area; Rev. Thomas Rainsbury; Bishop Darlingston Johnson; Rena Smith Jarrett; Rev. Suah Deddeh; Sangay Kamara; and Arthur Weah Doe.

Earlier in the year, on July 22, 2026, President Boakai posthumously conferred a national distinction upon Rev. Dr. J. Edwin Llyod Sr., admitting him into the Humane Order of African Redemption with the rank and grade of Knight Official, one of Liberia’s most prestigious national honors. A citation from the President was read by Minister Counsellor for Press and Public Affairs Al‑Jerome Anastas Chede Sr. at the Embassy of Liberia in the United States.

The posthumous award and earlier national recognition serve to preserve Rev. Dr. Llyod’s legacy of military service, humanitarian leadership, refugee advocacy, and commitment to justice, and to inspire future generations of Liberians.

Article and image source: analystliberiaonline.com