25th Independence Parade…one of the best

By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE September 19 Independence Ceremonial Parade attracted thousands of nationals and tourists at Warner Park to witness the history-making event that marked the 25th Anniversary of Independence of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Numerous government officials and members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps along with thousands of onlookers experienced what was believed to be “one of the largest and most colourful parades” in the history of the nation.

The Parade consisted of various armed and unarmed services, totalling almost 1000 members, ranging from children to senior citizens. This year’s Parade also  saw a significant increase in the number of members from the Girls Brigade, Boys Brigade, Red Cross, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Pathfinders, Majorettes, Fire Brigade, Traffic Wardens and Shadwell Overcomers in attendance.    ~~Adz:Right~~

The armed services consisted of the Cadet Corps, the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force, while the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Band was joined by the Florida-based 13th Army Band, and together they provided quality music throughout the Parade, which drew loud applauses from the thousands gathered.

The Parade was inspected by the Prime Minister, the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, who, in brief statements, welcomed the members and expressed his pleasure in having them as a part of the auspicious occasion.

Governor General of the Federation Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian took the salute on the Ceremonial March Pass, as the troops uniformly marched around the field in slow and quick time in a spell-binding display of colours and movement, resulting in a roaring applause by the crowd.

Following the Prime Minister’s Independence speech, which addressed the work of former leaders and the plans for the next 25 years, the crowd was shaken by the thunderous sounds of what seemed to have been gun salutes symbolising the great milestone reached.

Hordes of people subsequently flooded the streets as the Parade made its way to Camp Springfield for the Prime Minister’s Independence Toast and further celebration.

Prime Minister Douglas, during his toast, made special mention of two of the unarmed units that caught his attention and with which he was especially impressed - the Traffic Wardens and the Shadwell Overcomers.

“This is a wonderful experience today! People from all walks of life have come out to enjoy what has been the highlight of our Independence Celebrations…that is, the Military Parade. I think it is important for us to highlight the military parade as being of signal honour, because the men and the women who bear arms in this country and those who have come from abroad and have joined with them, they have such a tremendous responsibility in securing the safety of our people and of our country,” Dr. Douglas said.

PM Douglas encouraged all present to support the Police and Defence Forces for their devotion and the risk their members take in order to ensure peace is maintained in the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.