BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – The Cricket Stadium at Warner Park was buzzing with activity when dozens of members of the Federation’s armed and unarmed units attended for the independence ceremonial parade to mark the 27th anniversary of St. Kitts and Nevis’ political independence.
The parade, which took traditional format, began promptly at 8:00 a.m. yesterday (Sept 20) following the arrival of dignitaries, Security Chiefs of the Federation’s armed forces, Prime Minister of the Federation, Dr. the Honourable Denzil Llewellyn Douglas and the Head of State, Governor General, His Excellency, Sir Cuthbert Sebastian.
Before the eyes of members diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, members of the judiciary and leaders of the country, the 13 armed and unarmed units, immaculately bedecked in their ceremonial wear stood statuesquely as each platoon was inspected.
After he was granted permission from the Governor General so to do, PM Douglas, inspected each platoon during which the Defence Force Band providing musical accompaniment to the tunes of “The Blue Danube” and “Our Beautiful Country” the latter of which was composed by popular local pianist, Hulda Lawrence.
The drills which followed provided the armed units with the opportunity to display their precision and, in uniformity, their legs were raised and lowered, brushing the grass below as they marched in “slow time” past His Excellency Sir Cuthbert. Each platoon, on command of its leader, performed and “eyes right” which was acknowledged by His Excellency.
Marching to the band’s rendition of “Colonel Boogie”, the armed units skillfully transitioned from a “slow time” march to “quick time” and joined by the unarmed platoons.
A resounding three cheers for the nation were raised by the units and a salute given, marking the end of the first half of the ceremonial parade.
Following the departure of His Excellency, the Prime Minister, other dignitaries and the heads of the security forces, the parade flowed southward along Victoria Road, westward along Cayon Street and culminated at the Defence Force compound at Camp Springfield.
Prime Minister Douglas commended the units for their usual “resplendent” display and made special mention of the number five and number one guards which were comprised of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force’s female officers and St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force respectively. Special mention was also made of the Cadet Corps and the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force Band and the Drum Major, Corp. Giselle Williams.
Of the unarmed units, Dr. Douglas informed, the Fire and Rescue Services, Pathfinders and the Boys Brigade are worthy of recognition with the Shadwell Youths’ contingent being named the most “creative and colourful.”
Head of the St. Kitts Nevis Defence Force, Colonel Patrick Wallace and acting head of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, Deputy Commissioner Stafford Liburd, were lauded by the PM for their leadership during the parade.
“On behalf of the government and the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, I wish to commend Commander Wallace and Commissioner Stafford Liburd for leadership that was demonstrated at the ceremonial…”
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