From Belize and Guatemala to the world, this country lost a global icon when Andy Palacio died unexpectedly in January.  He was first hospitalized on January 16 with the symptoms of a stroke and within 24 hours, he had fallen into a grave condition.  And by the time he was flown to the Chicago Medical Center in Houston on January 18th., there was nothing that Doctors could do for him, and Andy Palacio was taken off life support on Saturday January 19. 

And out of that came something quite remarkable, something similar to a week of national mourning for a man who had transcended all cultural barriers to become a national icon.   Here's what it was like when his body was taken via procession through the streets of Belize City to the Municipal Airstrip where it was flown to Punat Gorda:

[Airdate: January 25th 2008]

Keith Swift Reporting,
The mood seemed almost festive as Garifuna drummers led the motorcade for Andy Palacio. They beat the drums while family, friends, and fans walked solemnly behind the BDF hearse - which was carrying Palacio's casket - draped with a Belizean flag. It began as a motorcade but by the time it crossed the Swing Bridge - it became a people's procession. And from Queen Street to New Road - to along the entire stretch of St. Thomas Street Belizeans left their jobs the homes and schools to line up. Most were school children with flags - waiting for Andy's casket to pass.

Boy #1: I think he was a good guy.

Boy #2: He was a great singer.

Boy #3: He was a very good man.

Keith Swift to Kids: Did you enjoy his music?

Children: Yes.

Keith Swift: What is Your Favorite Song?

Children: Watina.

And while kids danced and waved flags - the adults held cameras, phones, and posters. They were more reflective.

Woman #1: I didn't really know him but he is a celebrity. I can't even explain but he has touched my heart and my life and I am out here with the DHL crew giving our support. He was so young and so vibrant and he was looking froward to a lot of things in life. So I really feel it.

Man #1: Andy Palacio music was powerful man, really powerful. From I heard the album I loved it. It was kind of painful. Love the music, love the guy.

Woman #2: A little depressed because he was a great person to this country and being that he is gone now, all we can do is remember and live by his memories. He made me feel good as a Belizean.

And there is love for Andy in the streets because fans say they didn't understand his lyrics - but he did something only few have done.

Woman #3: He put Belize on the map. He stood for Belize and he stood for what he believes in. He stood up and supported his culture and I think that is what every Belizean should do.

Woman #4: He put us on the map culturally and I think that's very important...when you are not related to somebody its not that kind of attachment but I think it is a sad thing for every Belizean.

Man #2: He brought a lot of exposure to this beautiful country of ours Belize and what more can we say about a legend.

Woman #5: He was a great hero to our country so we are out here to pay our respect...he was so nice and friendly, always had that beautiful smile...he made me feel great.

He made every Belizeans feel great but he made the Garinagu people feel proud - including Supa G.

Supa G., Punta Rock Artist
"This is a great loss to Belize, especially to the music industry, a great person like Andy. So I had to come out here to show my support, at least to say my first goodbye until tomorrow."

Keith Swift: What did Andy mean to you?

Supa G.,
"A whole lot. The reason why I am in music or I am doing punta rock is because of Andy. The first time I actually heard Andy music, right there I decided I had to be a punta rock artist, I had to be a musician. So he is like my idol, a role model, and it is because of Andy I am Supa G today so he means a whole lot to me."

Keith Swift: Do you think Andy can be replaced?

Supa G.,
"Never."

Garifuna Woman #1: He is a Garifuna man and this is the greatest Garifuna because he showed us to know ourselves. It is knowing yourself brother. It is knowing yourself.

Garifuna Man #1: To me Andy was good for us the Garifuna. He showed us the way to continue our history.

Garifuna Man #2: Talking in Garifuna.

At the airstrip his casket was taken off the hearse and placed on the waiting Cessna caravan for the 45 minute flight. His still grief stricken daughters joined him on the plane. While in the background a crowd gathered. There was drumming - I was told it was a spiritual song - a message - and as they chanted -some just couldn't hold back the tears.

And as the plane left - the crowd waved flags and the drummers beat as the city said goodbye to the man they call the legend.

[Plane Flying Off and Crowd Waving]

And it received a similar reception in Punta Gorda. From there it was taken to Andy's home village of Barrance for a massive funeral.  Here's what that looked like.

[Airdate: Monday January 28th]

Indira Craig Reporting,
A large crowd in the thousands sang along as artists like Adrian 'The Doc' Martinez and Aurelio Martinez, Lloyd and Reckless, and other artists performed. The concert lasted just under an hour and the Belize City audience remained energetic.

[Video Footage of Performance]

The next day thousands more thronged to Barranco Village where the flag flew at half-mast. In the tent outside it was like a party as the Garifuna Collective entertained. But it was a funeral - and inside the church where traditional elements were mixed with a catholic funeral.

Rafael Martinez, Andy's Best Honored
"I am honored to pay tribute to a man, a simple yet sophisticated man. I can still hear his laugh, full of vigor, full of life and I think that is the way he would want us to remember him. He lives in all of us so share the Andy Palacio experience. His favorite song was Amyegu, and Amyegu, for those of us who have read the English version of it, it tells and advocates for the Garifuna young men, women, children to nurture and cherish the language, to be very much aware of the Garifuna culture."

And his son sang that same song.

[Kamoa Palacio Performing]

His cousin E. Roy Cayetano spoke about honoring his memory.

E. Roy Cayetano,
"What I will remind you and promise to keep reminding you of, is that it is now up to us to preserve and build on that legacy. I appeal to you not to tarnish it with vicious gossip and unfounded rumors."

Yasser Musa, NICH President
"In Belize City you stretched back with your guitar and told the people, 'I am going home to Barranco.' You are home my friend. We didn't want you to come home this way. I am sorry Cleopha but this is how it is. I did all I could. Ask Mike, I did...no fancy machine, no modern medicines, no fast jet planes, could stop the wishes of your ancestors music man."

Michael Polonio, President - National Garifuna Council
"And least but not last we would like to thank Andy Palacio for everything that he has given to us."

And that's the spirit that the crowd took into the procession. And amidst those drums his body was lowered into the vault.

Andy Palacio was 47. Other notable Belizeans who passed in 2008 are Sir Edney Cain, Reverend Lloyd Neal, Leigh Richardson, Sadie Vernon, and Viola Myles.

And that's it for the Great 08 – the busiest, most happening year in news that we've ever recorded.  It was history all around – a lot of it not good, record floods, record high inflation, and a record number of murders.  But there’s also a ten year low in fuel prices, higher grades on the PSE, and 20 million for housing rescued for low income housing that’s about to come on stream. And as they say, once there's tomorrow, there's hope...and whatever it is in the new year, we’ll be there, with cameras rolling...so stay tuned to 7NEWS.