Governor General Dame Sandra Mason presenting Captain Donville Adderson Dash with the Barbados Star of Gallantry for his courage and commitment in difficult and dangerous conditions during the initial stage of Barbados’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Diston Howell, JP is the recipient of the Barbados Service Star for his community service.
Members of the Barbados Defense Force were in perfect alignment.
This island’s 54th year of nationhood was celebrated yesterday with an Independence Day Parade and National Awards Ceremony in National Heroes’ Square, The City.
Unlike previous parades which featured representatives of armed and unarmed detachments, this year’s event was significantly scaled down owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. On parade were troops from the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) and the Mass Band, which comprised members of the BDF’s Zouave Band and Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) Band. They were under the charge of Parade Commander, Captain Jamal Samrodia. Members of the RBPF also participated in the day’s proceedings.
The event attracted a small but lively crowd to the venue. Dressed superbly in their national colours, attendees seized available vantage points to view the proceedings while enjoying the warm sunny weather of the day.
The Parade commenced sharp at eight in the morning. Prior to its start, there was the arrival of a number dignitaries and specially invited guests. Additionally, there was the arrival of Barbados’ only living national hero, Sir Garfield Sobers, Barbados’ newly appointed Chief Justice Patterson Cheltenham, Prime Minister, Mia Amor Mottley and Governor General Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason.
When proceedings got underway, those present were treated to performances by the Mass Band which included the playing of a medley of ‘I love Barbados’ and ‘Land of Sea and Sun. The band also played Edwin Yearwood’s ‘Home Sweet Home’ during course of the morning.
Another element of the entertainment package was the performance of ‘This is Who We Are’. This was done by 25 of the 27 artistes who are featured in the song which was commissioned by the Prime Minister to help the country through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Yesterday’s event also featured the presentation of awards to individuals named on the 2020 Independence Day Honours List. Among the recipients was Patrick Frost, who received the Order of Freedom of Barbados, for his dedicated service as an educator and sterling contribution to the trade union movement. Chief Justice Patterson Cheltenham, GCM, QC and former BDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Rudyard Lewis, GCM, CVO, JP were given the Knight of St. Andrew on the day.
The event additionally included an address by the Prime Minister and there was also a salute to the nation.