The legionnaires marched briskly.
So did the hundreds of Barbados Defence Force (BDF) soldiers, Barbados Police Service officers, and other military officials who paraded onto Heroes Square on Sunday to the police band’s solemn music.
When they arrived, they were greeted by applause from the audience gathered in the City to commemorate Remembrance Day and Inter-denominational Service.
The event is held annually to honour the service people who lost their lives during World Wars I and II.
Although there were a few showers, the parade’s prompt 8 a.m. start was not delayed and the sun eventually saved the day.
Although a few of the officers fainted, the hour-long parade was incident free.
The City was filled with spectators who wore National colours and a few visitors who witnessed the proceedings from the Chamberlain Bridge and the Wickham-Lewis Boardwalk.
They prayed and sang along to the many hymns sung during the ceremony.
Many pulled out their cellphones, and a few even had professional cameras to record the demonstrations. Some of the officials also monitored the activities from the roofs of Parliament, the Treasury Building, and a few vessels in the Careenage.
The parade and religious service attracted senior officials including Head of State President the Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw and many foreign diplomats.
They were among those who laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.
Members of the BDF band, Barbados Cadet Corp also participated in the parade.
When they marched off the parade square, they were again cheered by the crowds watching from the sidelines. (TG)
