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BDF’s New Recruits Take Their Turn On Parade Square
posted (January 31, 2014)
Today, the BDF's recruit intake #57 had its passing out to coincide with the Force's 36th anniversary. The 81 new soldiers did their thing proudly on the parade square at the Price Barracks and the Minister of National security welcomed them to the fold in his keynote address. Here's an excerpt of his remarks:..

John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"By expressing my sincere gratitude and appreciation for your presence in joining us on this very special occasion. This is an occasion of saying congratulations to the BDF on their 36th Anniversary. It is also the first anniversary of the assumption of command of the BDF of General Jones. This afternoon I will depart from conventional practice and focused on the people of this great organization whom over the years have given unwavering commitment in carrying out their mandate to defend Belize."

"36 years ago a nation in the making sent out a call for able bodied men and women to undergo intense military training with a view to form a credible defence force that would be able to stand guard on our borders and safeguard it. It was those brave and courageous men who stood just a while ago along with other like-minded persons not here today who without hesitation answered that call. As I understand it many people predicted that the young Belize Defence Force would not stand the test of time and or the challenges. Particularly so once the British Forces departed our shores. Fortunately these people were proven wrong, for not only did the force survived but it has grown and continues to grow in strength and capabilities year after year."

Brigadier General David Jones - Commander, BDF
"Today we are having our 36th Anniversary parade along with the passing out of intake #57 who have just gone through 4 months of intensive training. We started out with a 150 recruits and ended up today with only about 81."

Invited guests include members of the Lousiana Army National Guard, and the United States Southern Command. Tomorrow will be the BDF's Annual Open Day.

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