BDF’s legacy built on integrity and unwavering resolve, Grannum says
Article First appeared in Barbados Today Published on
August 15, 2021
The Barbados Defence Force’s legacy is one built on integrity and unwavering resolve, even in these challenging times, Chief of Staff Col. Glyne Grannum said.
As the force commemorated its 42nd anniversary service at the St Matthias Church on Sunday, Grannum said the BDF continues to play an integral role in the island’s security and its heritage should never be underappreciated.
Grannum said the force’s heritage was built on the strides made by the Barbados Volunteer Force, Barbados Regiment and other paramilitary organizations, which laid the foundations for the current BDF establishment.
“It is on those shoulders we stand – our success in maintaining operational readiness in the midst of a pandemic is a testimony to our inherited resilience, our DNA from our forebears in this service,” he said.
“Our deep-rooted Bajan ability to adapt, and to never give up, to stand united, because as I had the honour and the duty to say at our beloved St Ann’s Fort four years ago … when this force stands united, we can achieve all missions set before us.”
This year’s theme is ‘Steadfastness’.
Noting that COVID-19 presented challenges to the DBF, like it has for other organisations, Grannum expressed his confidence and trust in the force and what it stood for, saying that the brave soldiers will continue to take their responsibilities seriously, no matter the challenges.
“Whether on land or at sea, regardless of the domain, the dimension, the discomfort or the danger, the complexity, the volatility, the uncertainty [or] the ambiguity … we shall remain steadfast in military service towards our country Barbados. To uphold and defend its values and its interests, and in so doing, to bring credit to our great nation wherever we go.”
Principal Staff Officer (PSO), Lt. Col. Carlos Lovell, also reiterated the words delivered by Grannum, saying that though the last year has been the most challenging one in the force’s history, the organisation has continued to show its professionalism and grit while safeguarding Barbadians.
“Without fear of contradiction, I can confidently say that the last year has been the most difficult and the most demanding period of time in the history of this Barbados Defence Force. To coin a phrase by a former British Prime Minister, never has so much been owed by so many, to so few. Notwithstanding the countless challenges, this force has faced each trial, each threat, suffered each loss, and suffered each sacrifice together as one force. In the face of these tribulations, we have remained steadfast in the defence of our beloved Barbados.” (SB)
