September 1, 2005
By MELISSA WONG
THE MINISTRY of National Security’s blimp stole
the show yesterday during the 43rd anniversary Independence Day parade at
the Queen’s Park Savannah. The aircraft flew very low over the parade,
allowing the public an up close and personal view.
Despite the sweltering heat, hundreds of onlookers converged on the
Savannah for the event, many of them wearing their national colors and
using umbrellas to beat the heat.
The blimp hovered high above the Savannah from around 7.30 am. It
accompanied the TT Defence Force contingent during the parade, descending
close to the ground during the display of mechanical units and drawing
thunderous applause from the crowd. The blimp then took off into the sky
and continued to hover above the parade venue.
Other National Security units to cause a stir were three aircraft from the
TT Defence Force, two helicopters from the Special Anti-Crime Unit (SAUTT)
and three National Security helicopters.
Government Ministers began arriving at around 7.50 am, starting with
National Security Minister Martin Joseph and his wife. Shortly after was
the arrival of Chief Justice Satnarine Sharma and his wife and Prime
Minister Patrick Manning and his wife, Education Minister Hazel Manning.
Manning shook hands with the CJ upon his arrival and was also greeted by
Minister Joseph. The President’s wife, Dr Jean Ramjohn-Richards was
greeted by dignitaries when she arrived just before President George
Maxwell Richards, who was accompanied by his Mounted Escort and Chief of
Defence Staff Brigadier Ancil Antoine.
Richards then proceeded with the traditional inspection of the parade,
moving along the front rank of each detachment.
Represented at the parade were contingents from the TT Regiment, the TT
Coast Guard, the TT Volunteer Defence Force, the TT Police Service, the TT
Cadet Force, the TT Police K9 Detachment, the TT Fire Service, the TT
Prison Service, the TT SRPs, the TT Municipal Police Service, the St John
Ambulance Brigade, the TT Red Cross Society and the National Safety
Brigade and all their mechanical units.
The parade moved out of the Savannah at 9.15 am, with the various
detachments continuing the march through the streets of Port-of-Spain to
King George V Park where they were later dismissed.
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