Commandant, Captain Neville Hamilton addressed persons gathered to witness the distribution of awards to the winners in the first Captain George Vernon Fleming National Drill Competition. The Anguilla Cadet Corps, as part of their fifth year anniversary celebration, and in conjunction with the Department of Youth and Culture, held the competition on Saturday, 2nd October 2021, in honour of the late Captain George Vernon Fleming who started the Cadet Corps on Anguilla in 1988.
Captain Hamilton said: “Captain George Vernon Fleming was a man who stood for certain principles that, maybe, were taught to him as a child from his involvement with the military organisations that he was a part of for most of his life, so the aim of this drill competition is to encourage a higher standard of deportment for all parties involved; promote discipline amongst the various groups; and keep alive a legacy of values that will result in our youths becoming better individuals and leaders for tomorrow.”
Captain Hamilton further stated that, “The drill event was intended to reach all youth groups and para military organisations around the country, but the present climate of COVID protocols and restrictions did not make that possible. Hopefully, going forward we will be able to have everyone’s involvement.”
Special thanks were extended to the family members of Captain Fleming for leading the sponsorship of the monetary awards for the winners of the competition. Cash prizes amounted to about $2,000.00US with the winner being awarded $1,500EC, a trophy, and a certificate. Each of the four finalists was awarded consolation prizes, a trophy, and a certificate.
Congratulations to the winners of the first Captain George Vernon Fleming National Drill Competition: 1st Place – PC 32 Jermaine Fleming; 2nd Place – Cdt. Lcpl. Delnecia Carty; 3rd Place – Cdt. Sgt. Sarah Olton; 4th Place – Cdt. Sgt. Andreson Jean; and the other two finalists: 5th Place – Cdt. Cpl. Zayda Romney, and 6th Place – PC 124 Courtney Mills.
Acknowledgment and gratitude were extended to drill instructor, Detective Ralph Johnson, and to the judges who officiated at the event: Sgt. Brian Best (retired), Sgt. Lesroy Clarke, WPC 5 Jody Dunn, and Warrant Officer Class 1 Vanburn Brooks. The following stakeholders were also thanked: the Commissioner and Ranks of the Royal Anguilla Police Force; the Superintendent of Prison and Staff; the Chief Fire Officer and Ranks of the Fire Service; Mr. Gifford Fleming for live streaming the event; What We Do In Anguilla for capturing the moments; the Officers who participated and their families; and the audience who shared and supported the programme.
The drill competition is expected to be a yearly event honouring the legacy of Captain George Vernon Fleming who “put his hands up to assist with shaping the youth of Anguilla, building a culture that youths in this small community of Anguilla can emulate, and develop into great leaders for today and the future.”
