Alvin Ryan, Darion Darroux, Peter White, and
Glenroy Foster
His Excellency Governor in hosting a brief welcome home ceremony at the Governor’s Office for 2nd Lt. Darrion Darroux, who completed his commissioning course at the acclaimed prestigious Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst a few weeks ago. In his welcome, the Governor claims his love for and interest in the military.
And, perhaps in a small way, the media as well, as with champagne and grape juice and other sparkling white drink, and some appropriate eats, (no doubt geared at the military personnel) he welcomed the small group of officers as he congratulated and toast young 2nd Lieutenant Darion Darroux upon his return from a successful completion of the military training course in the UK.
The Governor in brief remarks opened: “I’m a real huge fan of the Royal Montserrat Defence Force (RMDF)…They’re spot on for Montserrat – a group of people who help us when the chips are down.”
Governor Pearce noted that 2nd Lieutenant Darroux embodied self-discipline, the desire for personal development and service to the public and how the officer had impressed the British armed forces minister Mark Lancaster on his visit to the island last year. Lancaster was also in attendance at the graduation ceremony.
Premier Romeo was also on hand to welcome and congratulate the young man, noting that the senior officers in the RMDF were extremely proud of Darroux’s success, which was their achievement as well. The Premier said he was a “model” of what the RMDF has done for the people of Montserrat…not just in disaster and to train youth but to become men and women of substance.
“I am extremely proud of this opportunity to congratulate you on achieving a first…this opportunity to congratulate you also proves that we need to support more and respect more, the work of the RMDF,” he said.
“I saw the development of an individual that is absolutely impressive, he is a model like many others, of what the RMDF has done for the people of Montserrat and for individuals. Not just during disaster time, not just to train youths, but to train them to become men and women of substance,” Romeo added.
Capt. Alvin Ryan, CO Peter White, Lt. Glenroy Foster and Lt. Darrion Darroux,
Major Alvin Ryan, who leads the local force, joined in the toasts. He said he sleeps well at night knowing that people like Officer Darroux are in the ranks of the organisation, which is over 100 years old. He thanked Defence advisor Colonel Anton Gash who continues to deliver for Montserrat.
Gash was instrumental in recent upgrades of uniforms and other equipment at the RMDF. He also facilitated the officer’s attendance at the military school.
Darroux responded and told the small gathering, that it was a privilege to have been trained at Sandhurst, which he counts as a personal and professional accomplishment. He said he wanted to deliver training to help better the young people in Montserrat and also the soldiers and start to make the change we need in Montserrat.
The young officer, who works at the Integrated Border Security United, began his para military career with the Montserrat Secondary School Cadet Corps, said proudly: “I’m privileged to have trained and commissioned from the Royal Military Academy…it’s quite an accomplishment for me personally and professionally and I’m just happy that I got to spend some time there and to better myself in terms of my training professionally and myself as a person.”
