PHILIPSBURG:--- Retired Police Inspector Antonio Rogers was officially sworn in on Saturday as the new Commander of the Voluntary Korps of St. Maarten (V.K.S), Rogers took the oath in the presence of retired commander Jean Illidge and Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams. Also in attendance at the ceremony was Acting Governor Reynold Groenveldt, President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell, MP Johan Janchi Leonard, Attorney General of St. Maarten Taco Stein, Minister Cornelius de Weever, Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson, Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte, former Lt. Governor Franklin Richards, Commissioner of Police Carl John, Prison Director Edward Rohan and close relatives of the new VKS Commander Antonio Rogers.
Former Commander of the VKS Jean Illidge in his speech said he recommended Rogers for the position when he retired last year. He said he made the recommendation months before his retirement date, he further stated that he did so because for him Rogers had the qualifications necessary to hold the position he vacated.
Furthermore, Rogers held several top positions while being a police officer where he served for more than 40 years. Illidge said when he delivered a very touching retirement speech, back then he said he knew something was missing because he knew that when one commander is leaving another is there to take over the position, but in his case there was no one to take up the baton. Illidge said he is honored to do the honors and introduction for the new Commander of the VKS since the one who was supposed to be there (acting Commander Paul Marten) was not present to do the honors. "It is either he could not be here or did not want to be here."
It should be noted that when Rogers was recommended for the position several persons that held top positions within government rejected his appointment, therefore leaving the VKS without a full time commander for more than one year.
In delivering his first speech after being sworn in Rogers said he will not give a military speech like the former commander but instead he cautioned that people need to forgive any and every one that hurt them, or cause them harm or pain. "Holding grudges or hatred for people that caused you pain of any kind only keep you a prisoner. It is only when you forgive others then you will progress or good things will happen to you, therefore I chose that route to forgive all those that tried to hinder me from getting this post." Rogers then focused his attention on Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams when he told her that the VKS is in a good pair of hands and that she can rest assure that she did not make any mistake when she chose to go against the odds and approve his nomination to be the commander of the VKS.
At the opening and ending of the short ceremony the officers of the VKS marched to the Government Administration Building where the swearing in took place and they marched off as the ceremony closed off. After the official swearing in a church service was held at the Catholic Church on Front Street after which a cocktail was held at the Sheer Restaurant for invited guests.
Click here to view photos of the swearing in ceremony held on Saturday August 2nd, 2014.
