BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – WITH their usual display of precision drills, skill and discipline, members of Federation’s armed and St. Kitts’ unarmed units executed a brilliant Ceremonial Parade earlier today in commemoration of the country’s 26th year of Independence.
Sometime after 7:00 a.m. today, the units converged at the Warner Park Football Stadium and took their positions in anticipation of the arrival of Prime Minister of the Federation, Dr. the Hon. Denzil Llewellyn Douglas, and the Head of State, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian.
The parade, often referred to as the most looked-forward-to event of the Independence celebrations, took place before thousands, including of members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps.
Inspection of both the armed and unarmed units was done by Prime Minister Douglas on behalf of the Governor General while the Defence Force Band played a melodious medley which included well-known hymns - Blessed Assurance and The Lord’s Prayer.
The units on display included members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, St. Kitts-Nevis Fire and Rescue Services, Shadwell Overcomers, Boys Brigade, Girls Brigade, Girl Guides, Scouts, Cub Scouts and a section from the visiting Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Fort George.
The immaculately ceremonial-attired Head of State stood at attention on the dais and took the salute as the units marched past in slow and quick time. The latter was done to the band’s rendition of the popular ‘Colonel Bogey March’ and ‘Bun dem wid de Holy Ghost’, much to the crowd’s approval.
The ceremonial parade, signalling the commencement of yet another year in the growth and advancement of the Federation and its people, took to the streets and mapped its way to Camp Springfield, where PM Douglas and Sir Cuthbert offered a toast to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, respectively.
Both the Head of State and political Leader of the country commended all units for their “magnificent performance” during the morning’s proceedings. Special mention however, was made of the members of armed forces who, as the PM explained, “are the ones who keep watch over us when we go to our beds at nights and we retire to sleep.”
More specifically, he added, two platoons on display are most deserving of recognition: Platoon number five, which consisted of women police officers and also the Defence Force Band.
The PM also congratulated 17-year-old Private Gizelle Williams of the Defence Force, who led the Military Band on the Ceremonial Parade. She is the first female in the history of the force to be appointed Drum Major.
Sir Cuthbert encouraged and implored all gathered to continue valuing their country, “recommit ourselves to be our brother’s keepers” and “be united” as it is in this unity that “strength for today and hope for tomorrow is found”.
“I congratulate our Federation, St. Kitts and Nevis, as we celebrate 26 years of Independence,” he added.
