BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – COMMANDER of the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF) Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wallace is high in praise of Captain Kayode Sutton for educating soldiers about the 1967 Invasion of St. Kitts.
“I am extremely proud of Capt Sutton. This demonstration of awareness of our Force’s history and the history of our federation as well as the role we played and continue to play in ensuring the preservation of democracy and the rule of law in our island is most gratifying.
“It tells me that the SKNDF can look forward to a bright future with such young and enlightened leadership,” Lt Col Wallace said.
The Commander said that in addition to verbally commending Capt Sutton, he would also do so in writing.
At 4:00 a.m. on Monday (June 10), Capt Sutton, Officer Commanding Alpha Company, assembled all ranks present at Camp Springfield in the mess hall and held discussion on the significance of the hour and date as they relate to the Force’s history.
He told them that “on June 10, 1967 a party of armed Anguillans and three American mercenaries landed on St. Kitts and carried out several attacks on Springfield, the Police Headquarters on Cayon Street and the Needsmust Power Station”.
“It is now 0400 hours, and it was at this hour when the insurgents attacked our camp. Therefore, it is imperative that you who do not what really occurred on that day be made aware, and those of you who know of it be reminded so that we all can and must be prepared should there be a similar incident.
“You all know the golden rule…‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’, and we do train all year long for the main purpose of protecting the integrity of our Federation. Therefore, being aware of the nation’s history and by demonstrating our commitment to our mandate will most certainly assure the public that we take their safety and security as paramount,” Capt Sutton said.
Capt Sutton also used the early morning session to field questions and provide answers on the 1967 Invasion before leading a platoon of his company on a route march through the street of Basseterre.
The three-hour route march began at 8:00 a.m. from Camp Springfield and took the soldiers through East and West Basseterre, including a number of areas classified as ‘hot spots’, before returning to their starting point.
According to Capt Sutton, instead of the normal time in which the SKNDF would conduct route marches, “Friday’s route march was done when most people would have been out of their home. Many of them have indicated that they love to see us, and it was a source of inspiration for my men as well as also a show of force to those persons who may have criminal intentions”.
