BDF soldiers receive medals

MORE THAN 100 members of the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) gathered at the Governor General’s residence today to receive medals in commemoration of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee.
The military men and women proudly accepted their awards with the usual military order and precision.
Governor General Sir Elliott Belgrave said his only regret was that they did not have the funds to award every single person in the BDF. On the subject of funds, he also made it clear they were not using public funds to reward the soldiers and sailors.
“The funds for the acquisition of these medals were provided by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, being done without any monies from the public funds.
“I say that lest anybody think that we at Government House are not following the watchwords of the country, which are frugality and thrift . . . where we appear to be having a good time while others in the country are suffering. That is not so!” he said.
The ceremony was also attended by Attorney General Adriel Brathwaite; permanent secretary in the Ministry of Defence and Security, Gabrielle Springer and regional director of the scheme, David Clarke. (CA)