Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 20, 2023 (SKNIS): The Independence 40 Ceremonial Parade of St. Kitts and Nevis was quite a spectacle and created memories that will last for a lifetime, according to persons who witnessed the parade, which officially began at midnight on Tuesday, September 19, 2023.
Thousands of persons packed the Warner Park Cricket Stadium decked out in patriotic wear and waving national flags to celebrate 40 years of achievements by the twin-island Federation. The troops on parade comprised armed units from the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force (SKNDF), Coast Guard Unit, Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force (RSCNPF), Cadet Corps and the Republic of China (Taiwan) Honour Guards. Unarmed Units featured the St. Kitts and Nevis Fire and Rescue Service (SKNFRS), His Majesty’s Prison, His Majesty’s Customs and Excise Department, Traffic Wardens, Girls Guides and Brownies, and Pathfinders. The SKNDF Force Band and the SKNDF Drum Corps were also on parade. The units were inspected by Governor-General Her Excellency Dame Marcella Liburd, and Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew.
Notable moments from the ceremonial parade included the debut of an all-female platoon from the St. Kitts-Nevis Defence Force under the command of Lieutenant Zenra Ferdinand, who described it as an honour to lead the women under her command. A parade of state assets featuring vehicles from the SKNDF, SKNFRS, RSCNPF, Emergency Medical Services, Ministry of Education, St. Kitts and Nevis Immigration Department, St. Kitts Electricity Company and more, were also featured, as well as a display from the SKNDF Drum Corps.
The highlight of the night for many included the drill display from the ROC Honour Guards as well as a drone light show that chronicled the history of St. Kitts and Nevis dating as far back as pre-colonialism to Independence 40 in 2023.
Ayana Erskine of Bird Rock attended the parade with her nine and 16-year-old children. She was very impressed by the drone presentation. “The uniqueness, the patriotic symbols, it was talent displayed at its best and was something that everyone connected to,” she stated. Erskine added that she brought her children out so that they can be a part of history in the making.
Anthony Rawlins from Constituency #8 agreed. He was in a front-row seat since 9 p.m. that evening, eager to avoid the rush of the crowd given his mobility challenges. “Well done,” he said, complimenting the Independence 40 Planning Committee, which organized the parade. “We have never seen anything like this. Kudos to them. They did a good job.”
Chevon Percival of Old Road thanked God for sparing her life to see 40 years of nationhood and the same number of years of diplomatic partnership with the Republic of China. She indicated that the drill display by the ROC Honour Guards was “perfect’ describing it as “magnificent. They should come for Independence every year,” she added.
Eighteen-year-old Joash Walters regularly attends the Independence Ceremonial Parade and noted that this year was his favourite.
“Patriotism is important. Especially for St. Kitts and Nevis,” he said. “We have grown tremendously, and [my] generation is the next generation of leaders, and so it is paramount that we be supportive of every patriotic event we have.”
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