B.D.F. Volunteers unveil monument to lost soldiers

They have a proud history and today the members of what was once called the Volunteer Guard paused to honour some of their own.

Marion Ali, Reporting
This afternoon members of the Belize Defence Force Volunteer Element gathered at their headquarters near the Lord Ridge Cemetery in Belize City to pay tribute to their comrades who have gone on before them. Highlight of the event was the official unveiling of a monument built in their memory.

Capt. James Petillo, Training Officer, Volunteer Element, B.D.F.
“We haven’t been to war, so the monument won’t project that. It’s only soldiers who have died in traffic accidents.”

Marion Ali
“We don’t have one like this in the country?”

Capt. James Petillo
“We do have in Price Barracks but the names on this monument reflect strictly volunteer soldiers.”

Marion Ali
“And these deaths date back to?”

Capt. James Petillo
“To 1987 to this year 2007.”

The monument was donated and constructed by retired Staff Sergeant, Kenneth Banks, who spent twenty-five years in the service. He says the project was a must for his family who have a background in soldiering.

Kenneth Banks, Ret’d Staff Sergeant, B.D.F. Volunteer
“My whole family structure is based on strictly military all over the world. I have people in the war right now and that’s the way we were brought up. My grandfather died away from here after he fought world war; he recently died. So it’s a family structure and we just continue it as a trend. That’s the reason why I build it. .. I just focus on the design and went on the web, I called my relatives in the military over there. We all sat down and decide what we’re going to do.”

Banks says it took him about two years to complete the project. Marion Ali for News Five.

Captain Petillo says that in the future, a ceremony will take place at the site each year on Remembrance Day.