Annual B.D.F. luncheon; top brass serve soldiers
The Belize Defense Force was in a celebratory mood today; the occasion was the traditional Christmas lunch at which the soldiers are served by their superiors to show appreciation for a job well done. The troops were joined by other officers also dedicated to service. News Five’s Duane Moody headed to Price Barracks for the event.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Every year, the Government of Belize provides a Christmas lunch for the Belize Defense Force that is hosted at Price Barracks in Ladyville. And this year was no different as places were switched and the top brass of the military served the soldiers a plate of traditional Christmas dinner—rice and beans, turkey, ham, stuffing, potato salad and cranberry sauce.
Brigadier General Dario Tapia, Commandant, B.D.F.
“It’s something that the soldiers look forward to every year. After years of hard work I think it is just fitting that we give thanks to the soldiers for their service, their dedicated service, often in hardest conditions and so I think they appreciate it when we honor them in this fashion. As you might have seen, the tradition is that this is the only time that officers and seniors will serve a soldier. So they look forward to that.”
And a according to the soldiers, the luncheon is highly appreciated.
Corporal Dee-Ancor Reyes, B.D.F. Soldier
“It is indeed a privilege for me to have the Minister of Defence and all my senior officers of the Belize Defence Force to now serve us with food and drinks. And it is a privilege and it feels good. Christmas is a time to be merry, to be happy with your friends and your family and having our senior officers and staff supporting us and looking after us makes us feel pleased and be able to continue our job knowing that they are looking after our well being.”
Private Myron Martinez, B.D.F. Soldier
“We have this once a year and it feels very nice to have the ministers and the senior officers serve us. I think it’s great.”
Private Derick Joseph, B.D.F. Soldier
“They show us respect just the way we show the respect and show soldiers that they noh down and fi mek yoh feel and always got that working manner in you.”
Duane Moody
“Do you feel that this is important for your growth and the growth of your fellow officers?”
Private Derick Joseph
“Yeah it’s good for us because it make sure we feel appreciate.”
Also joining in the event were officers from the Police Department, the Belize National Coast Guard and the National Fire Service.
Brigadier General Dario Tapia
“It is also traditional that we invite our partners that we work with over the year. Although we only saw the fire chief sitting at the head table, we also have personnel from the Coast Guard, the Police Department and other law enforcement that we work with over the years. In addition to that we also honored the B.D.F. football team who were victorious and won the championship this year.”
Soldiers were also recognized for their outstanding performance in the line of duty. Duane Moody, reporting for News Five.
