Forty Vincentians enlisted in the Royal Army will take part in ceremonial events, join residents of the country in public and private events and reunite with their families as St. Vincent and the Grenadines celebrate 45 years of independence from the UK.
The Royal Navy said that around one in every 175 of SVG’s 110,000 citizens — over 600 men and women — have volunteered to serve in the Royal Navy, making the Commonwealth country’s commitment to the Senior Service pretty much unmatched.
“It also means nearly every family in the small nation — most of the inhabitants are concentrated on the main island of St. Vincent — either has a relative serving in the Royal Navy, or knows someone who’s a sailor,” the Royal Navy said in a Facebook post.
It said the Vincentian sailors are fortunate enough to be assigned to the Royal Navy’s patrol ship in the Caribbean (currently HMS Medway, with a crew of just 50), chances for serving Vincentians to return home are fairly limited.
“It’s a lengthy and expensive flight back home — and even more so if family want to come to the UK to visit loved ones and see their ships,” the Royal Navy said.
“So as a ‘thank you’ to the islands and some of those personnel for their ongoing support, the Royal Navy along with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity are sharing the cost of the 10-day return 50-50.
During the visit, the sailors will call on schools, get involved in community projects, support beach cleans, take part in 45th-anniversary celebrations of independence from the UK on Oct. 27 — focused in the capital Kingstown with parades and public events — and reunite with families.