Article Image Alt Text

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley (left), as she awarded Major Patrick Skeete, retired with the Meritorious Service Medal.

Article Image Alt Text

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley (left), as she delivered the General Service Medal to the mother of the late Private Daniel Louis, Doreen Louis Prescott.

Hard work of servicemen, women recognised

The hard work of servicemen and women was recognised as they were honoured during the Barbados Defence Force Medals Ceremony that took place at the St. Ann’s Fort on Tuesday evening.

During his remarks, Chief of Staff of the Barbados Defence Force, Colonel Glynne Grannum noted that they gathered Tuesday evening to recognise the contribution of these servicepeople.

“Today’s ceremony is simple but no less significant to the larger parades we hold, I hope that you will enjoy the proceedings and take the opportunity to interact with the servicepersons at its conclusion,” he said.

“This ceremony today signifies the recognition for the past work done to Barbados and to our values and interest, it draws a proverbial line in the sand for tomorrow. We step out, recommitted ready to do it all again, to serve and sacrifice for this great nation we call Barbados.

A commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or soldier of the BDF is eligible for the award of the Meritorious Service Medal if the individual has performed, whether in operational or non-operational circumstances, meritorious service considered worthy of recognition.

Major Patrick Skeete, retired, received the Meritorious Service Medal for the significant contribution he made to the development of the youth in Barbados and within the region for over forty years.

The General Service Medal, Operation Sisserou and CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit Operational service is awarded to an officer if, as a service Commissioned officer, Warrant officer, Non-commissioned officer or soldier of the BDF that participates in a specific operation, event or series of events on or within dates specified by the Defence Board.

The General Service Medal was awarded posthumously to the late Private Daniel Sylvester Louis for services rendered as a member of the BDF’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief contingent deployed to the Commonwealth of Dominica after the passage of tropical storm Erica in September 2015.

The late Private Louis was enlisted in the regular element of the BDF as a rifleman and during his tenure he served as an infantry soldier in the special operations platoon.
His mother, Doreen Louis Prescott was present to receive the medal on his behalf.

The final medal awarded was the Regional Security System Medal (RSSM), Operation SUPPETIOR and Housing Rehabilitation in Barbuda.

A person is eligible to be awarded the RSSM if at the time of qualification, they are serving as a commissioned officer, warrant officer, non-commissioned officer or soldier in the BDF and have participated in a specific operation, event or series of events within the security forces of the RSS as determined by the Council of Ministers of the Systems.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000