Cadets celebrate 95th anniversary

The Trinidad and Tobago Cadet Force celebrated its 95th Anniversary yesterday with the annual church parade at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, and a brunch at the Combined Services Officer’s Mess in St James. Delivering the sermon at the church service was Captain Archdeacon Edwin Primus who is also a proud member of the Cadet Force. He heaped praises on the force, using titles from calypsoes to drive home his point. He said: “It is celebration time,” just as the late Nappy Mayers sang many years ago only this time Primus was referring to the 95 years of unbroken service to Trinidad and Tobago.

“We are truly blessed and like a calypsonian (Funny) sang on the 25th anniversary of our independence, I now want to ask, ‘95 years have gone, how yuh feel?’ Well I feel a great sense of pride because we have stood the test of time. “There have been many challenges, many obstacles and rivers to cross yet still we are here today celebrating our 95th anniversary,” said Primus who then led the congregation into singing “Give thanks.” Primus added that God has been good to the force and has always been with them throughout those 95 years and that it was a privilege to be of  service to our country since May 1910, hence the reason to celebrate.

He then called on Captain Matheson Thomas to render “To God Be The Glory” before continuing his sermon, this time speaking about the nurturing they have done with the young cadets. He said special emphasis was placed on respect and discipline because as Ella Andal before, “There is a Missing Generation” out there. “But the Cadet Force cares about them and about the ‘Voices In The Ghetto.”’ Primus then directed his next comments to the young cadets in the congregation telling them that wearing two and three earrings in their ears, t-shirts inside out and pants below their hips were “not cool, that’s playing the fool! But in the force we are taught to dress properly, smell good and look nice for a positive image.”

During his 45-minute sermon that was interrupted with songs and applause, Primus also took a swipe at mothers for defending delinquent sons but wanted them to know that the force can take care of them. He said: “Hard work doesn’t kill, it leads to success.” Among those who attended the service were Minister of National Security Martin Joseph, Junior Minister, Fitzgerald Hinds, former cadet officer, Brigadier Carl Alfonso, Commissioner of Police Trevor Paul and other members of the protective services. Following the sermon there was a moving rendition of “My Help” by guest Natasha Simon before Colonel Edison Isaac, HMB, Commandant, TT Cadet Force moved his own vote of thanks to the pioneers of the force who have passed on, as well as, the existing exemplars who have done great service within the organisation.