BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE words “Country above Self”, the National Flag and the National Anthem serve as reminders of just how far the Federation has come since it gained independence in 1983 and they propel us to chart an aggressive course towards the further advancement of our nation.
Today’s celebration of St. Kitts and Nevis’ 33rd Independence Anniversary took on the traditional form with the Independence Parade taking place at Warner Park.
At that venue, several dignitaries including the Governor General, His Excellency Tapley Seaton, members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, heads of the Federation’s security forces, Prime Minister of the Federation Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris, and members of the Federal Cabinet were on hand to witness and participate in the event.
The parade got into full swing after its commander – Captain Keyode Sutton – gave the General Salute to the Prime Minister and the Royal Salute was received by the Governor General.
Inspection of those on parade, which included members of military and paramilitary organizations, was one of the highlights of the event. But as is usually the case, the March Past is generally a crowd-pleaser.
All platoons were required to march uniformly across the field in slow-time with a smooth transition into quick-time.
The attentive and cheerful audience – many of whom were bedecked in national colours - appeared pleased with the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force Band’s renditions of a number of popular tunes from local, regional and international artistes including Adam Levine and R. City’s ‘Locked Away’, the Grand Masters Band’s ‘Wuk U Shift’, Destra’s ‘Lucy’ and Charlie Puth’s ‘One Call Away’.
Those who might have missed the Warner Park portion of the event were able to catch a glimpse of the action as the various platoons filed out into Victoria Road and marched through the streets of Basseterre, culminating at Camp Springfield.
While there, in the presence of members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, members of the armed and unarmed forces, members of the Federal Cabinet etc., Governor General Seaton offered a toast to Her Majesty the Queen, our Head of State.
He commended the parade participants for “an excellent and well-executed parade”.
In raising a toast to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, he wished her “continued health and success in all of her endeavours and certainly as she continues to take an interest in the affairs of St. Kitts and Nevis”.
And Prime Minister Harris raised a toast “to the well-being, the continuing success, resilience and prosperity of my beautiful country, St. Christopher and Nevis…”
