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MARIGOT--The usually predictable format of the Bastille Day programme took on a different twist Tuesday when military medals were bestowed on six Gendarmes and, in a separate ceremony, three professional firemen promoted in rank received their stripes.
The medal ceremony for the Gendarmes of St. Martin and St. Barths conducted by Colonel Thiriot, second in command of the Guadeloupe Gendarmerie, preceded the wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in the garden of Hotel de la Collectivité.
Dignitaries from both sides of the island and Anguilla had attended a service in the Catholic Church just earlier.
The Military Medal, France’s third highest military distinction, was pinned on the lapels of Adjudant-Chef Nicolas Heslon (48) of the St. Barths brigade for his 29 years of service. Also receiving this medal were Adjudant Philippe Maumene (48) of the Marigot Gendarmerie, also for 29 years of service, and Maréchal Logis-Chef Eric Nadaud (45) of the Brigade de Proximité in Marigot, who had accumulated 24 years and nine months of service.
Brigadier Adrien Dericbourg (24), Brigadier Thomas Faucher (22) and Brigadier-Chef Laurie Jazarguer (28), all of the St. Martin Gendarmerie, received the National Defence Bronze Medal.
Préfète Anne Laubies, MP Daniel Gibbs and President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson laid wreaths at the war memorial before the assembled dignitaries walked across the road to Boulevard de France to watch the traditional parade. This was the new Préfète’s first Bastille Day ceremony in St. Martin.
The parade was led by a squad of Gendarmes followed by French- and Dutch-side firemen in full uniform. Other troupes saluting the dignitaries seated in the shade of a tent on chairs covered smartly in red, white and blue included Explorateurs Drum Band, New Status Generation Band, Grain D’Or folkloric dancers, Scouts of St. Martin, Turning Point Marigot, French Quarter Boys Brigade and Pathfinders. In total there were 11 troupes.
The pinning ceremony for the firemen presided over by Commandant Cleo Gumbs and Colonel Jacques Zenon from Guadeloupe was an elaborate affair with Francisco Brooks and Alfred Hunt promoted to Corporal while voluntary fireman Corporal Chef Antonio Rollan was made a Sergeant. Voluntary Medical Captain Noubou Lazare was promoted to Commandant.
An honour guard of the French- and Dutch-side fire departments was inspected by Préfète Anne Laubies.
Speeches were given by President Aline Hanson, Senator Guillaume Arnell, MP Daniel Gibbs, and Préfète Anne Laubies.
Hanson began her speech by congratulating the firemen for their values of “courage and dedication†and for their attentiveness during this very dry period. She reiterated her optimism for the Bay of Marigot and Revitalisation of Marigot projects, which have been validated by the Territorial Council, as well as the development on parcel AW34 of Orient Beach.
She said the Collectivité was following up diligently on President François Hollande’s announcements and talked of making good use of the 60-million-euro package for St. Martin in the 2014-2020 Operational Programme (PO).
“Commissioners will be visiting us this week from Europe regarding the programme,†she disclosed. “French- and Dutch-side committees must use their competency in the various fields to prepare for this visit.â€
Finally, she called on the population to be prepared for any hurricane that might pass and warned that fines would be issued for leaving bulky items and debris on the streets when a storm warning was given.
Bastille Day was well supported by Dutch-side dignitaries. Present were Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Acting Governor Reynold Groeneveldt, First Vice-President of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo, Second Vice-President of Parliament Cornelius de Weever, Minister Claret Connor and Minister Plenipotentiary Josianne Artsen-Fleming.
The Anguilla delegation was headed by Chief Minister Victor Banks.
Also present for the first time was the Dutch-side Fire Department with a delegation that included Fire Chief Clive Richardson, Head of Disaster Management Paul Martens, Head of Repression Nico van Zand and Technical Department coordinator Marvin Dollison.
The traditional champagne toast concluded the official ceremonies. A full programme of sports and musical activities was planned for the afternoon and evening, culminating with a fireworks display.
