ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, June 29th, 2012 – His Excellency the Governor Mr. Boyd McCleary, CMG, CVO distributed the remaining Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Long Service Medals yesterday at a ceremony held at Government House at part of activities to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, 60 years of reign.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal is awarded to Armed Services, Emergency Services and Prison Services Personnel who have completed five calendar years of service and the Long Service Medals are awarded to Police, Prison and Fire Officers for 18, 25 and 30 years of service.
Recipients of medals at yesterday’s ceremony included officers of all rank from the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and from Her Majesty’s Prison. Constable Alvin Washington from the RVIPF received the Colonial Police Long Service Medal for 18 years of service and Prison Officer Eliott Jackson received the Prison Long Service Medal also for 18 years of service.
His Excellency the Governor in his remarks said, “This is perhaps the last of the Diamond Jubilee events here in the BVI, but I am very pleased with the way the Diamond Jubilee have been celebrated here in the Territory. It is a special year for the Queen and she is a special lady, and this is one of the only times any of us will be part of a Diamond Jubilee event.”
“I think it is important for those who are being honoured for this Diamond Jubilee Year for there to be some degree of ceremony. When I realised that a number of officers from the police and prison services have not been able to participate in the ceremonies on Tortola and Virgin Gorda, I wanted to ensure there was a proper ceremony and service in order that a proper public account could be taken of the work you do here in the Territory in support of public order and safety,” His Excellency shared.
The Governor added, “I take my roles when it comes to security very seriously. I have close relationship with the police and I meet the prison officers on a regular basis and these are both important functions of government. We all owe a great deal to those who serve so it is entirely right and proper that due ceremony should be made available for the awarding of these medals today.”
Deputy Governor Mrs. V. Inez Archibald in her remarks thanked the Governor on behalf of the recipients for ensuring they had this special moment culminating the official celebration in the Territory of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. She also congratulated the recipients on behalf of their colleagues in the public service of the
Virgin Islands and on her own behalf for their service to this Territory.
The Deputy Governor said, “When I am in a room with so many of you I think how very blessed we are to have you and how fortunate the Territory is to have you patrolling our borders and making sure that we are safe at nights. Prison Officers for making sure that our prisoners are kept well within bounds and taken care of, and I sincerely thank you on behalf of the public service.”
“It is important to ensure that you have a photograph to show your children and grandchildren how special you have been treated and have been able to take part in our final celebration of Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee and explain to your children and grandchildren what it means and what it means to our connection with Her Majesty the Queen,” the Deputy Governor added.
The celebration for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee began with the visit from His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester to the Territory from March 5 to 9. The official observance of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and Birthday Celebration was held in the Territory on Monday, June 4 with a ceremony and parade of organisations at the Queen Elizabeth II Park. The event culminated with the Beacon Lighting ceremony that took place simultaneously on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Jost Van Dyke and Anegada.
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