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 The British Honduras Volunteer Guard and the Belize Volunteer Guard. REUNION 2024  On September 14, 2024, Soldiers of the British Honduras Volunteer Guard and the Belize Volunteer Guard will be recognized for their contributions to the Security of our Nation. The Ceremony, organized by a committee of dedicated Veterans, will be at Price Barracks, Ladyville, Belize. The Receiving Line comprises Chairman Jerome Ellis, Treasurer David Henderson, and Chief Organiser Patrick Bennett. The “Fall In” will be called by Parade Commander WP Rodrigues. Arrivals will be met by Secretary Alan Usher and introduced to the Receiving Line then shown to their seats by ‘Stick Orderlies’. Among the dignitaries will be the Governor General, Prime Minister, Chief Justice, Leader of the Opposition, Minister of Defence, USA Ambassador and Military Attache, UK High Commissioner, Representatives of the Belize Ex-Services League, and Representatives of the Royal British Legion. Introductions will be made by the Master of Ceremonies, Paul Mahung, after which there will be the Belize National Anthem. An Invocation follows by a Veteran of the Belize Volunteer Guard, Philip Moriera: EXORTATION: “They shall not grow old as we that are left grow old; age shall not weary nor the years condemn; at the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.” RESPONSE: “We will remember them” The Welcome Address will be given by Jerome Ellis, Chairman, followed by presentations by the Belize Ex-Services League and the Royal British Legion. The main address will then be given by Honourable Florencio Marin Jr, Minister of Defence, after which Dame Froylan Tzalam HE The Governor General will proceed with the Issue of Certificates to the Veterans. The Vote of Thanks will be given by Alan Usher, Secretary. Patrick Bennett, Chief Organiser, then does the boisterous ‘Volunteer Guard Song’: WE ARE MEMBERS ONE AND ALL OF THE VOLUNTEER GUARD, MEMBERS OF THE JOLLY RANK AND FILE, WE DRAW OUR TWO-FIFTY-TWO AND THOUGH WE THINK IT HARD, WE SPEND IT IN THE CANTEEN WITH A SMILE, WE CANNOT ALL BE OFFICERS AND ISSUE ORDERS AROUND, BUT WE CAN MAKE A COMPANY THE BRIGHTEST IN TOWN, SO, FILL ‘ER UP MY LAD AND DRINK A HEARTY TOAST, THE VOLUNTEER GUARD IS PASSING BY. The Ceremony finishes with the “LAST POST - 2 minutes silence followed by “Revallie”. Refreshments/Social. For a 7 News Belize ‘Reunion 2024’ interview with Belize Volunteer Veterans Jerome Ellis, Allan Usher, and Robert Pate, please go to the link below: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/kY6Vv8ohgEFCGHsb/?mibextid=MurMbi Jabiru Books Belize LLC congratulates our Veterans of the British Honduras Volunteer Guard and the Belize Volunteer Guard. We also remember all those who were soldiers in our previous Volunteer Forces. Never to be forgotten are the families of our soldiers who support them in both good and difficult times.  Lt. Col. D.N.A. Fairweather’s was the Commandant of the British Honduras Volunteer Guard, 1947 – 1963. Here are some excerpts from his book about the British Honduras Volunteer Guard: In 1942, during World War II, the War Office decided to form the Caribbean Forces – North Caribbean Force and South Caribbean Force. The British Honduras Defence Force (1928 – 1944) was taken over from the Government and formed into the British Honduras Battalion of the North Caribbean Force. Members of the Defence Force who, for one reason or another, could not become regular soldiers were formed into a unit designated as the British Honduras Home Guard (1942 – 1943) under the command of Captain D.N.A. Fairweather. The strength of the Home Guard increased so that in December, 1943, it was formed into the British Honduras Volunteer Guard (1943 – 1973). The Inaugural Parade was held on the 3rd. January, 1944, at St. Mary’s Hall. The foundation of the Headquarters of the Volunteer Guard at Fort George was laid by His Excellency the Governor, Sir John Hunter, K.C.M.G., on the 24th May, 1944. On 4th September, 1950, the ‘Battlefield’ in Belize City was the scene of a colourful and impressive ceremony when the King’s Colour and the Regimental Colour were Consecrated and Presented. On 4th August, 1951, the British Honduras Volunteer Guard was inspected by Brigadier A.C.F. Jackson, Commander, Caribbean Area. In addressing the parade, the Brigadier expressed his satisfaction and said that the British Honduras Volunteer Guard was the most efficient unit of its kind in the Caribbean Area. In 1952, an invitation was extended for a contingent representing the armed forces of the Colony to attend the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In February 1953, the following were selected: Major D.N.A. Fairweather Regt’l. Sergeant Major W. P. Burrows Corporal D. Dewgard L/Cpl. R. Ramsey. The Colonial Contingent was given a place of honour at the head of the Coronation Procession. Publisher’s Note: Unfortunately, Lt. Col. D.N.A. Fairweather’s book does not go beyond 1953. It is important that the military history of our Volunteer Forces of British Honduras/Belize be completely documented. Hopefully, this will be done. The British Honduras Volunteer Guard became the Belize Volunteer Guard in 1973 This Force was disbanded in 1977. The Belize Defence Force was founded in 1978.  Some scenes of a British Honduras Volunteer Guard Camp, late 1960s, at Augustine Pine Ridge. Pte. Anderson H. is there. Of military interest is the Weapons Store, as well of many cases of Heineken beer by the canteen. Recognition also goes to our Bandmaster and the British Honduras Volunteer Guard Band.    MIDNIGHT On Belize’s Independence, September 21st, 1981. By Dr. Henry W. Anderson In ancient books of glories told, Of nations young and young men bold, Of Gods of war, of men of hate, Of crimes of passion and hands of fate; Of times when men must live in hope And carry on their tasks on yoke; And pray that all may not be hell The Fates would stop the circle well, That tasks though hard not put aside But taken firmly in one's stride, That peace be won, no battle fought, And love be all instead of wrath, That man and man grip other's hand That brothers be to work the land, That mothers bear both child and life And man may help his burdened wife, That children live in Freedom's hold And grow to be our soldiers bold, That men who rule may always know That power is on them bestowed But as a joining in the chain — A chain that's made from cries of pain: From men and women tossed on seas And babies born from bended knees In cramped canoes where hopes are dim And prayers are oft for next of kin; On jagged rocks, of shipwrecked men, Of dying soldiers splintered then By cannon roar and powder blast, Of dying flags and broken masts; From men in chains, from horses’ whips, From reddened eyes and welted lips; Pain from arrows sharp and swift Amidst all pain all heads would lift Towards the call for Freedom. Lift high the heads for Freedom. Let dead men walk, past heroes come, For history is made, no more charade. She comes, Freedom comes, at Midnight. From The Son Of Kinich - Illustrated Poetical Works. Published 1995 by Jabiru Books For a video of pictures of Belize set to Finlandia, the music used for the Belize National Prayer, please go to the link below. The video was made by Stephanie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4-yiOfiqMg Newsletter 027 Some Patriotic Songs on YouTube Calypso Rose and Lord Rhaburn combo - Tenth day of September https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ81urxxX1g Belize Queen of the Bay song (Original Song) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLUQNsdfQww Tribute to the Baymen by Jesus ‘Chuchin’ Acosta; played below by the Harmonetts and sung by Allan Andrewin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S07RleqpAgg If you know someone who would like to receive our monthly Newsletter, please have them go to CONTACT at our website and send us an e-mail: http://jabirubooksbelize.com Please note that our Newsletters are also published on our FaceBook page at:https://www.facebook.com/JabiruBooksBelize BOOKS WRITTEN BY DR. HENRY W. ANDERSON  INFORMATION/LINKS The works by Dr. Henry W. Anderson are available at the libraries of the Belize National Library Service and Information System. For more information, please go to: https://www.bnlsis.org/ Once on the website, you may go to ‘Public Library Catalogue’ then to ‘Subject;’ select ‘Author’ and put in Henry Anderson; or use the link below to go directly to Dr. Anderson books: https://bnlsis.mlasolutions.com/m5/catalog/(S(tsaodaxofc2mvp3zhpl4wwt2))/Default.aspx?internal=1&installation=LeoBradley Dr. Henry W. Anderson books are also available as E-books and Print-on-Demand at store.bookbaby.com (BookBaby Bookshop), recommended, and other worldwide retailers: E-Book Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Vearsa, Kobo, OverDrive, Copia, Gardners Books, Baker & Taylor, eSentral, Scribd, Ciando, hoopla, Playster, and many more. Print-on-Demand Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Powell’s and thousands of other stores and wholesale bookstore catalogs like Ingram and Baker & Taylor, around the world. For store.bookbaby.com, go to: https://store.bookbaby.com/profile/jabirubooksbelizecom Visit us at: https://www.facebook.com/JabiruBooksBelize Visit our website at http://jabirubooksbelize.com 
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