MARIGOT--The Collectivité during the Bastille Day ceremonies followed the annual tradition of recognising the men and women who have contributed greatly to the community through their service and professionalism.
Certificates of Recognition were awarded to well-known self-made entrepreneur and visionary Antoine Baker, the folkloric and cultural association Grain d’Or, and the French side’s carnival committee (Festivités Carnavalesque de Saint Martin FCDSM).
In addition 12 staff members of the Collectivité, most of whom are now retired and who have dedicated over 35 years of service to the Collectivité, are celebrated in a book called “Empreintes.” Their remarkable careers are chronicled in the book, which pays tribute to their dedication and enduring contribution to public service. Their functions were read out, and they were each presented with a copy of the book by President Mussington.
The somewhat scaled back ceremony on the waterfront included speeches from President of the Junior Territorial Council Jahid Hamlet, President Louis Mussington, Senator Annick Pétrus, Député (MP) of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy Frantz Gumbs, and Sous Préfète for Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, Marie-Hildegarde Chauveau.
Following the ecumenical service in the Catholic Church, the dignitaries from both sides of the island watched the parade on Rue de La République. Many troupes took part, led by the Gendarmerie with two battalions.
They were followed by members of the Saint Martin war veteran’s association with their flag, soldiers from the Military Adapted Service Regiment (RSMA), Police Aux Frontières, Fire Brigade (sapeurs-pompiers), French side sea rescue service SNSM (their first time in the parade), and several scout troupes such as Boys Brigade, Pathfinders, and drum bands.
Wreaths were laid at the war memorial in the garden of Hotel de la Collectivité by President Louis Mussington, Senator Annick Pétrus, Député Frantz Gumbs, and Sous Préfète Marie-Hildegarde Chauveau. Rodolph Arnal, a commando parachutist who took part in special operations in the former Yugoslavia between 1993 to 1995, received the French Commemorative Medal from the Gendarmerie Commandant, Lieutenant Colonel Hugues Loyez.
Representing the Dutch side at the Bastille Day ceremony were Governor of St. Maarten Ajamu Baly and his wife, the President of Parliament of St. Maarten Sara Wescot-Williams, Prime Minister of St. Maarten Dr. Luc Mercelina, and Honourable Ministers from the Council of Ministers from St. Maarten.
Also, present were the Honourable Minister of Tourism of St. Kitts and Nevis, Marsha Henderson, and Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), Dona Regis-Prosper and her delegation members.
