Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 23, 2016 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis observed 33 years of Independence from Great Britain on Monday, September 19, with an impressive display of discipline and patriotic pride from uniformed bodies, citizens and residents. Against this backdrop, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, took the time to sit and reflect on the proceedings of the Independence Day Parade.
“I think it was a wonderful experience for all the citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Prime Minister Harris. “We had thousands of persons who showed up to render support to our men and women in uniform and to be part of the historic celebrations which were taking place and of which the parade has always been a central and critical element. We had larger number of persons participating among the uniformed body.”
Prime Minister Harris spoke to the presence of the law enforcement and security officials under the umbrella of the Regional Security System (RSS) based in Barbados, who are in the Federation to lend support to the local security forces in operational engagements.
“We had the additional attraction of the RSS on display and each of the platoon was properly appropriately numbered,” he said. The precision of those as they did their march passes was excellent. We have had rave reviews of the [parade].”
Dr. Harris noted that the turnout on Independence Day compared with other years was the most impactful.
“Not only were the numbers larger than any I’ve seen before but the liveliness of the crowd [and] the great display of patriotism were moving as you saw so many persons come out in the national colours bearing their shirts in the colours of our flag and you saw them not only lining the pavilion areas, but you see them lining the streets,” said the Prime Minister. “That for me was a tremendous feeling that the country was maturing and the people were ready to embrace their Independence journey. So again, for me, it was a most delightful experience and I would wish that that display that we saw of patriotism and love, that those two attributes of nation building would continue long after we would have completed this month long celebrations.”
Officers from the Defence Force, Police Force, Fire and Rescue Services, Prison, Traffic Department, as well as Port Security, the Coast Guard Unit, and members of youth organizations in St. Kitts and Nevis were among troops on display at this year’s Independence Parade.