Being a BDF soldier is no easy life - whether patrolling in the Chiquibul or on George Street, it's always dangerous, the pay isn't all that, and the working conditions are rugged. But, once a year, the BDF Brass rolls out Christmas Dinner - and the Big Men from Belmopan show up to give thanks of a grateful nation.
Monica Bodden was there today:
Monica Bodden Reporting
Just after 12 this afternoon lunch was served to 300 BDF soldiers at their headquarters in Price Barracks. The men and women who serve on the frontlines of our country's borders and in the streets against crime - got to sit back and enjoy a tasty Belizean Christmas meal.
It is a traditional luncheon to honor and show appreciation for the hard work of these officers over the 12 months - This afternoon Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega and Minister of Security John Saldivar became waiters -as they helped with the serving of lunch.
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"This is our small way of saying thanks to the officers of the Belize Defence Force, who have served so selflessly, tirelessly over the last 12 months. For all the good the good work they have put in, I am sure that we don't see it in the media all the time, but they're out there behind the scenes, in the jungles out there protecting us, and providing us with a safe environment in which to live. So, this is our way of saying thanks to them. As you can see, from the response, I think that their moral is up. Their energy is high, and they feel good to belong to an organization like the BDF, and we want to keep it that way. So, that's why we want to show them our thanks, by coming here and being here today to celebrate and eat with them."
Monica Bodden
"Now, I noticed that you were serving a while ago."
Hon. John Saldivar
"Yes, that's part of saying thanks. It's time - having served our country, and served their people over the 12 months, we believe it's a good gesture for us now to serve them. And that's what we did, myself, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Commander, the Deputy Commander, so that's a tradition in the media."
BDF Commander Dario Tapia says this is an annual tradition - and a way of saying thank you to these men and women who serve their country daily. Every year the Belize Defence Force gives out awards to the youngest soldier, the best female and male soldier and the civilian staff. These soldiers who are from across the force are nominated and then there is a selection process.
Brigadier General Dario Tapia - Commander, BDF
"It is a very important tradition that we have carried on for over the years, since the Force was formed. What happens here today is that this is the only time of the year that the soldiers will be served by their officers, by their CO and commission officers. And in this occasion, we were blessed to be joined by the Acting Prime Minister, Hon. Gaspar Vega, and the Minister of National Security, who as you probably have noticed, they're also serving the soldiers. So, it's very symbolic for the soldiers to show them our appreciation that when we give them their orders, they are able to follow it, without any hesitation."
And on the menu was our Belizean traditional Christmas dinner - which these officers seemed to be enjoying.
Brigadier General Dario Tapia
"Well, it's the traditional Christmas lunch. It is the rice and beans, ham, turkey, salad, cranberry, and the stuffings. Of course, they will have their apple, grapes, and their sodas. Currently, they are approximately 300 soldiers here enjoying this lunch. Not everybody could be here, because we still have our duties to execute. Those who are off-duty are here, and some of them who will go on later on this evening, for police duties, are here, and those who are out-district, manning the borders, then of course, they can't be here."
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