‘UK has been resolute in face of adversity’- Queen on 91st birthday
Dressed in full regalia, the armed and unarmed forces of the Territory, along with charities, school groups, and several non-profit organisations, participated in a parade and march past on the vacant lot behind the Central Administration Complex on Wickham’s Cay II.
During the parade, His Excellency the Governor, John S. Duncan, OBE, who was accompanied by Mr Michael Matthews, Commissioner of Police, thoroughly inspected all the troops on parade.
“Thank you for your birthday greetings. She much appreciates your kind words on her birthday and sends her warm good wishes to the government and to the people of the Virgin Islands,” remarked the Governor on behalf of the Queen.
‘Sombre national mood’ in UK
Meanwhile, the mood for The Queen’s official birthday celebration was described as sombre by The Queen in her birthday message to the United Kingdom.
London was rocked by a third terror attack in three months before June 18, 2017 when a man drove a van into a crowd of Muslim worshippers in Finsbury Park.
Added to that, the number of people dead or missing presumed dead following the Grenfell Tower fire on June 13, 2017 has now risen to 79.
“Today is traditionally a day of celebration. This year, however, it is difficult to escape a very’ sombre national mood. In recent months, the country has witnessed a succession of terrible tragedies.
“As a nation, we continue to reflect and pray for all those who have been directly affected by these events. During recent visits in Manchester and London, I have been profoundly struck by the immediate inclination of people throughout the country to offer comfort and support to those in desperate need.”
Her Majesty The Queen further said: “Put to the test, the United Kingdom has been resolute in the face of adversity. United in our sadness, we are equally determined, without fear or favour, to support all those rebuilding lives so horribly affected by injury and loss.”
Medals of Service
Several officers from the armed and unarmed forces in the Territory were acknowledged and awarded for their long standing service.
Medals were awarded to the following officers for their years of long service and good conduct in the Police Force: Constable Douglas Blyden, Constable Joanne George, Constable Lola Stevens and Constable Dwight Williams, (18 years); Superintendent Jacqueline E. Vanterpool, Inspector Dariel Robinson, Inspector Adrian Kartick, Inspector Smyrna Brewley and Sergeant Donna Monsanto, (25 years); Chief Inspector Paula Hazel-Alleyne and Chief Inspector Dennis Jones, (30 years).
The following Fire and Rescue Brigade officers received awards for their long service and good conduct: Chief Fire Officer Zebalon A. Mclean, Leading Fire Officer Samuel Lettesome, Sub Officer Alexander Parillon and Fire Officer Walden Powell, (25 years); Deputy Chief Fire Officer William Penn, Station Officer Tyronne Caddle, Station Officer Melvin Jeffers, Sub Officer Victor Williams and Sub officer Geraldo Barry (30 years).
For their years of long service and good conduct to the Prison Service, medals were awarded to Grade 1 Officer Rudolph Jackson and Grade 1 Officer Ava Donovan, (18 years) and Principal Officer Alexander Mills (30 years).
The Queen celebrates two birthdays each year: her actual birthday on April 21 and her official birthday on (usually) the second Saturday in June.
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