As the Barbados Defence Force’s (BDF) 45th Anniversary celebrations continue this month, several activities will be held to commemorate the milestone.
The theme for the celebrations is Proven Excellence, Shaping A Promising Future.
The BDF’s 45th Anniversary Exhibition will open to the public from Friday, August 16, at the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, The Garrison, St. Michael, Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Among the displays will be the 1966 flags, including the one hoisted in 1966 when Barbados gained Independence from Great Britain and the Union Jack was lowered.
The Ship of State, which was a gift to Barbados from Great Britain on the attainment of Independence on November 30, 1966, will also be on exhibit. The ship is made of white gold and in 1977, was appraised in excess of $1 million.
It was entrusted to the safekeeping of the Barbados Defence Force and remains under its protection.
Also on that day, a commemorative tree planting exercise will get underway at 9:45 a.m. at the BDF headquarters, St. Ann’s Fort, The Garrison. The team will then journey to the Barbados Coast Guard’s Headquarters, on the Mighty Grynner Highway, where another tree will be planted at 10:35 a.m.
The exercise concludes at 11:20 a.m. when a tree will also be planted on the grounds of Paragon Base, Christ Church.
The following day, Saturday, August 17, there will be an anniversary parade and sunset ceremony at St. Ann’s Fort, The Garrison, starting at 4:00 p.m.
Activities for the month will culminate with a lecture entitled: 120 Not Out: The History of the Barbados Cadet Corps and its Contribution to National Development at the 3W’s Oval, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus.
It will be delivered by former Commandant of the Cadet Corps Colonel Errol Brathwaite, who is now the Commandant of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps.