BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | NOV 30, 2023
PICTURED ABOVE — President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason inspecting the armed and unarmed uniformed organisations at Barbados’ 57th Anniversary of Independence Ceremonial Parade, today. ( A David Crichlow photograph )
VIEW IMAGES HERE … ( All David Crichlow photographs )……. https://www.filemail.com/d/ceizfgpzjsihfjm
On the occasion of Barbados’ 57th Anniversary of Independence and the country’s second year as a Republic, the Independence Ceremonial Parade was held for the first time at the Usain Bolt Sports Complex.
Vibrant hues of ultramarine and gold representing the country’s national colours could be seen across the sports complex, as members of Cabinet; Parliament; the Senate, the diplomatic corps, and locals and visitors turned out to watch the parade in all its pomp and pageantry.
Under the command of Major Pedro Drakes, and Senior Superintendent (ag), Adrian Broomes, the Independence Ceremonial Parade began at 8:00 a.m., featuring the promenade of bands marching in slow and quick time.
One of today’s highlights was a salute to the President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason; who inspected the armed and unarmed uniformed organisations consisting of over 900 personnel including the Massed Band.
The Massed Band, made up of detachments from the Barbados Police Service Band, the Barbados Defence Force and the Barbados Cadet Corps, was directed by Senior Superintendent, Andrew Lynch. They paid tribute to President Mason with two arrangements; one entitled ‘A New Republic’ arranged by Sergeant Steve Sobers, and ‘Dame Sandra’ arranged by Ronald Cummins.
During the ceremony, the inaugural Public Service Awards and Award of Recognition under the theme “public service transformation, doing things differently”, took place. The first public service leadership awards were presented to acting Chief Immigration Officer, Margaret Inniss; and Administrative Manager of the Student Revolving Loan Fund, Ambrose Johnson. The Award of Recognition was given to the Nation Publishing Company Limited (Nation Newspaper), with Chief Executive Officer, Noel Wood accepting the award on behalf of his company.
Some 35 persons were presented with insignias at this year’s ceremony and they included President of the Senate, Reginald Farley; the first female and the first person with a disability and the youngest individual to serve as President of the Senate, Kerryann Ifill; and banking and insurance executive Dodridge Miller. They all received the Order of Freedom of Barbados.
Also receivingan honorary Order of Freedom of Barbados in absentia were two heads of state; the President of Guyana Dr. Irfaan Ali and the President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
Receiving the Gold Trident of Excellence for her outstanding achievements as a world-class athlete in sport and in particular Track and Field and her unrelenting efforts to bring global acclaim to Barbados, was Sada Williams.
This year’s awards of the Barbados Bravery Medal for acts of heroism in hazardous circumstances went to Roger Rock, who rescued Antoine Alexander from a house fire at Queen’s Street in The City, and to Marlon “Van Wick” Tempro, a Public Service Vehicle Operator who averted an armed robbery while on duty on July 16, this year.
To view the full list of this year’s Independence Day Honours, persons may click here.
This year’s ceremony also featured Head Boys and Head Girls of both public and private, primary and secondary schools being given leadership badges, and a special presentation to mark the 160th anniversary of the Barbados Landship Association.
It concluded with the traditional 21-gun Salute to The Nation; the playing of the National Anthem; prayers for the nation by Reverend Wayne McDonald Kirton; and the recitation of the National Pledge by the Head Boy and Head Girl of the Good Shepherd Primary School.
Following the Parade, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, took the salute at Carlton Supermarket Complex, before the troops dispersed at the Carlton Cricket Grounds in Black Rock, St. Michael.
BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | NOV 30, 2023 — A BGIS FEATURE.
