It almost reminded of Queen’s birthday parade at sturgeon park pre-volcanic crisis. Hundreds came out on last Saturday, June 16 for the annual Queen’s Birthday Parade at the Salem Park, in a setting thought to be much more conducive for the occasion. This year’s event was anticipated as Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her 60th year on the throne.
The parade began at 8.30 a.m. with the arrival of dignitaries including His Excellency the Governor Adrian Davis and Honourable Premier Reuben T. Meade.
The uniformed bodies on parade were: Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF), Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS), Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) Cadet Corp, Montserrat Fire and Rescue Services (MFRS), Montserrat Prison Service, Montserrat Red Cross, Boy Scout, Girl Guides, Brownies, Rainbows, Boys Brigade with music provided By the Antigua and Barbuda Police Service Band. They paraded, and the Defence Force, the police service and the school cadet corps marched in slow and quick time to the strains of the Antigua & Barbuda Police Service Band returning after a three-year absence proving to be a welcomed sight.
Corporal Terrence Lee of the Royal Montserrat Defence Force received the First Clasp to his Efficiency Medal for completing 18 years of service. Corporal Oswald West and Lance Corporal Deverson Semper joined who have been members of the RMDF since 2001 both received Efficiency Medals for completing 12 years of service.
The various bodies and others were treated to refreshments. Later the crowd, most of whom stayed were treated to a musical entertainment by the Antigua police band.
The usual Queen birthday cocktail party on Thursday evening, June 21was hosted by H.E. and his wife Sujue Davis at Government House residence in Woodlands, to where reportedly 500 guests were invited.
