PHILIPSBURG:---Seven members of the Voluntary Korps (VKS) were awarded on Saturday afternoon for the time they took every weekend to train as officers of the VKS. The seven members were selected over a period of seven and half years of training.
The ceremony held in front of the Government administration building started off with the marching of the various troops including the officers of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, the Police Territorial, KPSM, prison guards and others. As the march and line up completed the ceremony commenced and was cut short due to inclement weather. Former Commander Jean Illidge was given much credit for a job well done when he spearheaded the VKS and brought to what it is today. Now commander of the VKS Antonio Rogers in his speech called on the officers of the VKS to bind their wounds because there are many of them that were severely hurt internally and to forgive those that hurt them. Rogers went on to say that its been 29 months and 29 days since he took over the helm of the VKS and many persons still do not want to accept that he is in charge for now he will let them know that he is indeed the one in charge of the VKS.
Rogers also lamented the fact that the VKS needs more monies to do the things they need to do to better serve the community but the monies they need are not forthcoming.
He thanked the management of KPSM especially Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte and Acting Chief of Police Carl John for allowing the VKS to participate in the Hurex training. “I want to personally thank you Mr. Peter de Witte, and John for allowing the VKS to be part of the HUREX, if it were not for the police the VKS would have heard of the training from third parties but you the police have made it possible for the VKS to participate and for that I am grateful.” When it comes integrity Rogers said he has divided integrity in two, one being to be judged by man and the other by the Almighty, as for him he said he preferred to be judged by the Almighty.
Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs the only member of the Council of Ministers that attended the short ceremony thanked the VKS officers for their work, he thanked the officers of Anguilla and those from the French side for attending the ceremony on Saturday.
It was clear on Saturday that many persons that were invited to the 18th anniversary of the VKS did not show up for one reason or another. Not even the Minister of Justice was in attendance or any Member of Parliament. Among the small crowd were former Lt. Governor Franklin Richards who is part of the VKS board, Vice President of the French Executive Council Wendell Cocks, retired police officer Martina and his wife Sylvia Gibbs Martina, and the Royal Marechaussee and members of the management team of KPSM led by its Chief of Police Peter de Witte.
After the official ceremony the troops marched through Philipsburg while those that attended the official ceremony went to the Roman Catholic Church for the ecumenical service, then to the Festival Village for the real celebration.
Click here to view photos of the VKS 18th anniversary celebrations.
