Disappointed and disheartened. These sentiments were echoed yesterday by many people who attended the 47th annual Independence Day parade, south of Queen's Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. For the third time, the parade took place on the streets. Yesterday was the first time that the parade was held near Memorial Park, and it was shortened. The parade lasted approximately 30 minutes. In the past, the event usually lasted an hour. Several things did not seem right, and did not go down well with members of the public, who lined the streets, as usual, to get a close-up and personal view of the parade.
The change in the traditional route was announced a few weeks ago by the Defence Force, who said it was expected to be "people friendly." But it was far from that. Too many people left the area disappointed at what they had seen. The expectations of the army appeared to be the opposite. President George Maxwell Richards did not inspect the troops, but only took a presidential salute in front of the NCC stands, opposite Memorial Park.
The parade began on Keate Street, proceeded east then up Charlotte Street, and across the front of the Savannah. The K-9 and mounted branch units, traditional favourites with the crowd, failed to show, except for a few horses which formed part of the President's mounted escort.
Many left the parade ground wondering what had really happened. "This is the worst parade I have ever attended in years. I mean, where did the planes go?" a man said as he tucked his mini red, white and black flag into his bag and left the area. During the fly-past, an aerial display of military aircraft, President Richards, as well as many dignitaries, appeared confused as from which direction the aircraft were expected to come. With a confused look on his face, Richards constantly looked in several directions, hoping to see the aircraft. Two planes were the first to fly over the parade ground. Five minutes later, along came two helicopters which were later followed by two more choppers from the Special Anti-Crime Unit. Several large trees around the parade route made it very difficult for spectators to view the aircraft.
"If they had left the parade in the Savannah as before, we would have seen everything. Look at them dotish trees blocking up all the planes," said a visibly-upset Jason Joseph, moments before he left the area with his four children. Nevertheless, the officers, dressed in their neatly-pressed ceremonial uniforms, braved the scorching sun and marched past the parade grounds to the Police Training Academy, St James Barracks. Despite members of the protective services putting their best foot forward as they passed their Commander-in-Chief, President Richards, the T&T Defence Force appeared to be the only unit which drew applause. The crowd went into a frenzy when a female soldier, armed with a self-loading rifle (SLR) drove by in a military backhoe. Her posture won the hearts of onlookers, as she manned the polished vehicle which formed part of the Regiment's mechanical unit, along the route.
