BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – BEFITTING the commencement of the 32nd Anniversary of the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis, platoons of Armed and Unarmed Forces were part of a traditional Independence Parade held this morning (Sept. 19) at the Warner Park Cricket Stadium in Basseterre.
With the parade participants already in queue, dignitaries, including the Governor-General of St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Tapley Seaton QC, CVO, JP; and Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, arrived for the commencement of the auspicious ceremony.
Scattered showers that fell earlier in the morning went a long way in mitigating what could have been sweltering heat which the troops would have had to endure.
The guards, which included a contingent each from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Cadet Corps, St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force, St. Kitts and Nevis Coast Guard, Her Majesty’s Excise and Customs Department, Girls Guides and St. Christopher Air and Sea Port Security, as well as a male and female contingent from the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, were inspected by Prime Minister Harris.
The precision drills of the Armed Forces as they marched past in slow and quick time have always been a crowd pleaser, and today was no different.
Standing at attention on the Saluting Dais like a military personnel, the Head of State took the salute as the Armed Forces marched past in slow time to the melody of Handel’s ‘Scipio’, which drew loud cheers from the audience.
The transition from slow to quick time, signalled only by a double drum beat of the St. Kitts and Nevis Defence Force Band, brought much delight to the large crowd, as some of them once again erupted into applause after the segue took place.
By that time, the Unarmed Forces had joined the procession.
Before the ceremony concluded, salutes to the Federation of St Christopher and Nevis were given by the Armed Forces.
And after His Excellency and the Prime Minister had departed, the contingents made their way out of the Park and through the streets of Basseterre to Camp Springfield for the Toast Ceremony.
As was expected, individuals who wanted to get a close-up view of the parade, ensured that they were positioned along the path that led to Camp Springfield.
While His Excellency Seaton and Prime Minister Harris were offering toasts to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Federation of St. Christopher and Nevis respectively, they both commended the troops for their display today and the services they have rendered to the nation.
This, the 32nd Independence Parade, is the first for Dr. Harris in his capacity as Prime Minister and for His Excellency Seaton in his capacity as Governor-General.
SKNVibes spoke with a number of individuals who declared that while the parade was as enjoyable as it always, this year’s was considerably smaller than those of years past.
