B.D.F. opens military museum
The B.D.F. anniversary fair has come and gone, but this year the celebrations have left a legacy that will no doubt be enjoyed for years to come. Whether you are a military history buff, or just love to find out about the past in general, you will definitely appreciate a visit to A.P.C. to view their latest contribution to Belizean history. Hyacinth Latchman reports.
The Belize Defence Force Museum opened its doors during the B.D.F. anniversary January thirty first. This morning I had the opportunity to tour the facility and discovered it was filled with memories in the form of pictures, uniforms, guns and other military equipment used by men who fought in World Wars I and II, and even before that with some of the items dating back to 1866. Colonel Glen Arthurs told us the museum was the brainchild of Brigadier General Robert Garcia.
Lt. Colonel Glen Arthurs, B.D.F.
“The idea of the museum started out with the commandant visiting Louisiana. And he came back and he said that we need a museum to show the good that our servicemen have done for us for all to see. And that was about seven months ago. But we started to work on the museum, getting information about forty-five days ago and all the information we have we got from the ex-servicemen who put us in the right direction of finding all the families of veterans. All the information we have is information from people who served in World War I, World War II, British Honduras Volunteer Guards and Belize Volunteer Guards and at present the Belize Defense Force.”
The items displayed in the museum include a trunk which belonged to Senior Minister George Cadle Price’s father and a soldier room which is kept locked up except for special occasions.
Lt. Colonel Glen Arthurs
“That trunk had in many uniforms used by his father Captain William Price in World War I and it includes about four sets of uniforms. It had about four, three or four head dress and many other small items like buttons and other decorations that he used to use and they were preserved and are on display.
The soldier room. What we try to recreate is the life of a soldier when he is not at home when he is in the field of how they live.”
Apart from all the antiques being displayed in the museum, there is also a section which features clothing and other items used by the present members of the Belize Defence Force. So if you are thinking about joining the force you should pay keen attention and look at some of the clothing you might end up wearing.
Alma Ellis, Warrant Officer, B.D.F.
“This suit is used by a pilot at the air wing. This one here is donated by Captain Ganney Dortch. This uniform here is our ceremonial dress which is the highest dress we have in the army. It is used by officers and soldiers at a ceremonial parade.
Here we have dress number five. This is for the female and the male. This uniform is used by officers and warrant officers when attending a function or a parade.”
The museum, which is located at Price Barracks, is one of the best ways to see firsthand what our great-grandfathers have done for our country. As they say in the B.D.F., “Indeed without a past there will be no future.” Hyacinth Latchman for News Five.
If you would like to visit the B.D.F. Museum you can just arrive at the Barracks and request permission to go in and see the display. It is open every weekday during normal working hours.
