Every year, BDF soldiers gather at Price Barracks to be served Christmas lunch by their commanding officers. It's a Christmastime morale booster, and recently, they've even had the head of government as their waiter. Courtney Menzies was there at today's luncheon. Here is that story.
They're the ones in military service, but today - in an annual tradition - BDF soldiers were the ones being served by their superiors.
And, for the last three years, they've also had the PM serving them as well.
Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF
"It's a tradition that I have experienced from the time I joined the Belize Defense Force some 30+ years ago. Unfortunately this is the time of the year that I serve, or fortunately unfortunately, but it's a pleasure for me to serve at least for one day, my NCO's and my subordinates for the years so we're elated to have the leadership of the country today as well with us helping the BDF and the officers to serve the soldiers for what they have done through the course of the year."
"That I could recall, there was sometimes you used to get the leadership of the country to come and celebrate with us and say the thank you that the soldiers deserved but now we have been having the prime minister here for the third year in a row and also our Minister of National Defense, both of them are here, they made that extra effort to come here and we know they are very busy but nevertheless they are here celebrating with us and with the soldiers enlisted."
And both the prime minister and the minister were there handing out plates of turkey dinner and fruits to the soldiers. PM Briceno told us that he finds it important to take time every year to uphold this tradition. And Minister Marin added that it goes a long way to show appreciation to the force.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"It's certainly is the third year in a row that I've been invited and to me, I think it's just a small gesture of us showing appreciation of the work of the BDF because many times we don't think of the work that we do and they're there not only protecting us from the border, but they're protecting us against drug trafficking, destroying drugs that they find out in the jungle, they do so many things, in the city whenever there's a flareup amongst rival groups, they would also work along with the police to try to be able to create some peace so when Brigadier General Loria then asked if I would be prepared to come, well, three years ago when I was first asked, I said of course, I must be able to find some time to be here and to be able to serve them and I find great satisfaction in doing that."
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defense & Border Security
"It is a long standing tradition in our military that around Christmastime, the leaders that now also includes the political leaders come and serve the food to the soldiers as a thank you for the year long work they have done, they're the ones in the field, they're the ones doing all the hard work while we're just the ones who give the directives so the least we can do is just show our appreciation to them annually."
"I want everyone to have a very safe and happy Christmas, I want to thank them for all the work they have done. We in the ministry know the work that they have done over the years and what they have done over this year so we're truly grateful for it, they have kept the country safe, so I'm hoping everyone will have a good and safe Christmas with their family and loved ones."
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