By Kimberly Ramkhalawan
December 2, 2022
It was all pomp and pageantry for Barbados as the country marked its first anniversary since becoming a republic one year ago, as it brought together its armed forces for its ceremonial parade, a return of a tradition after two years of the pandemic.
Its president, Dame Sandra Mason, dressed in the national colours of yellow and blue inspected the troops gathered at its famous cricket grounds, Kensington Oval to mark its 56th Independence Anniversary and its first since becoming a republic.
Over 950 armed and unarmed troops hailing from the Government Security Guards, Barbados Red Cross and the St. John Ambulance Brigade, its Prison Service, the Youth Advance Corps, Barbados Cadet Corps, the Barbados Legion, its Girl Guides ‘Association, and the Barbados Sea Cadets paraded the square, with dance and lively performance routines.
This was surely a rousing moment of pride among those gathered, as loud cheers could be heard coming from the stands.
The day also saw some 35 Barbadians honoured as National Heroes, including 16 year old Kerrisha Skeete, the youngest who received national honour for her unselfish act of bravery towards a man, by preventing loss of life from a seizure which occurred on public transportation one week ago. She was taken aback emotionally when Prime Minister Mia Mottley greeted her and many stood in her applause. The honours also saw former director of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Elton Mottley bestowed with the Freedom of Barbados award, for his distinguished service as a culturalist and his outstanding contribution to the promotion of the cultural arts and fostering national identity.
Annette Beckett, Former President of the Barbados Netball Association was awarded the Silver Trident of Excellencefor her representation of the country in netball on an international level.
Director of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ian Carrington, received the Freedom of Barbados award for his distinguished career in the public service and exceptional leadership of the Barbados Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) programme. Other awards bestowed during the ceremony were the Order of the Republic, Honorary Order of the Republic, Gold Award of Achievement, and the Gold Trident of Excellence.
Following the ceremony, troops then marched down town where Prime Minister Mottley and Members of Cabinet received the final salute for the day at National Heroes Square, The City. She was greeted by onlookers taking in the parade.
