Manning’s new look creates a stir

HUNDREDS OF spectators, including some members of Cabinet, had to take a second  look at Prime Minister Patrick Manning as he got out of his official car for the Independence  Parade at the Queen’s Park Savannah  yesterday morning. Manning, who recently underwent eye surgery in Cuba, sporting a stylish pair of sunglasses on his arrival, accompanied by his wife, Education Minister Hazel Manning, was one of the highlights of the traditional Independence morning event. The parade started at precisely 8 am, and not without the usual fainting of personnel from the various military detachments who were overcome by fatigue, illness and/or from standing long hours in the  early morning sun. As always,  there was a mammoth crowd, mostly wearing the national colours or something red.

Spectators lined up at the entrance to the parade venue from as early as 6 am waiting to get inside. Marching past were armed detachments from the Regiment, Coast Guard, Volunteer Defence Force, Police Service and the Cadet Force. They were followed by unarmed detachments from the Fire Service, Prison Service, Municipal Police Service, St John Ambulance Brigade, Red Cross Society and the National Safety Brigade. Then came the mechanical units consisting of vehicles from the various sections. However, there was no armoured vehicle. The crowd was thrilled when the three planes from the Coast Guard air-wing flew past followed sometime later by helicopters. After the President, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice and the Minister of National Security left the parade ground, the contingents made their way to Tragarete Road, then to the St James Barracks where they were dismissed.