Belize Defence Force turns thirty-two

The B.D.F. soldiers turned out in numbers today to mark the force’s birthday. Now in its thirty-second year, the force has grown in numbers and skills and while it still maintains its objective, its responsibilities and visibility have increased.  The anniversary celebrations kicked off today at the Price Barracks.  News Five’s Duane Moody shared in the birthday celebration.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Hundreds of soldiers marched proudly to celebrate the thirty-second anniversary of the force. The soldiers came from throughout the country.

Brigadier General Dario Tapia, Commandant, B.D.F.

“The force was official formed on the first of January 1978 and as of third of January we started to man the force with a very small group of individuals. I think there were sixty in total. And so over the last thirty-two years the force has grown in size and strength and professionalism.”

As is traditional, the inspection of the guard took place and was followed by a presentation by the B.D.F. band. A new feature today was a presentation by some soldiers of their newly acquired taekwondo combat skills.

[Soldiers taekwondo display…]

This Saturday at Price Barracks, the annual open day takes place. Organizer, Lieutenant Colonel David Jones says that the fair will provide information on the B.D.F.

David Jones

Lt. Col. David Jones, Commander, Service & Sports Battalion, B.D.F.

“There will be lots of fun, lots of games. It will include military displays, to include the mock battle which the kids normally do love, the radio equipment, weaponry, the different activities the B.D.F. does on a daily basis—to include information on what they do on the border, information on the patrol and what they do in a daily basis.  What we are all about; the type of equipment that we use on patrols, the service especially that we give on a daily basis and some of the challenges that we do face.  For one dollar you get a ticket and as you purchase the ticket, there are twenty-five different prizes on that ticket that you can win. The top prize is very lucrative. It’s a two night stay at Cave Branch—all food and meals included. That includes a jungle tour in the day and a jungle tour in the night and that is courtesy of Caves Branch. And that is a value of two thousand six hundred dollars and that’s for a family of four.”

The event starts nine a.m. with entrance at only one dollar. Duane Moody, reporting for News Five.