Today was a big day for the Ministry of National Defense and Security with the change of command for both the Belize Coast Guard and the Belize Defense Force.
The Coast Guard had its ceremony in the morning as Rear Admiral Elton Bennett gave his last address as commandant. In his place now sits Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis, who has been prepped to continue the work of his predecessors. Courtney Menzies was at the ceremony and has this story.
After six years as head of the Belize Coast Guard, today was Admiral Elton Bennett's last day in uniform. He passed on the metaphorical baton to his second in command, Captain Gregory Soberanis - who today took on the title of Rear Admiral and the role of Commandant.
It's a moment that Soberanis has not only been anticipating, but that he has been preparing for over many years. And now that the time is here, he said it feels surreal.
Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me."
Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"For me it is a surreal feeling. I have been in the Belize Coast Guard since 2007. The Coast Guard has prepared me, it has given me the exposure and the experience for me to now take up this position, and I am ready for it."
And new leadership for the Coast Guard means continuing the service and standard that has been upheld by previous commandants.
Admiral Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"You've served this organization well, and we have a strategic plan that we developed in 2020. We are on track with that plan, and it's just a matter of continuing to execute that vision that was devised for this time."
And for the former commandant - and new CEO at the Home Affairs Ministry - he had a few words of farewell for the family he has been a part of for 2 decades.
Admiral Elton Bennett, Former Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"My farewell to the men and women of the Belize Coast Guard is one of gratitude. It has been a challenging but fulfilling journey from the Hondo to the Sarstoon, and it has been the honor of my life to serve with you."
And with new leadership in both the Coast Guard and the Belize Defense Force, the PM said that the new blood will do the military service a lot of good.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Mr Soberanis is quite an impressive gentleman and I said I was quite impressed when he recited the Lord is my Shepherd with such vigor and confidence and such emotion. It kind of gives you a sense on the man, he's a Christian man and a man that believes in God and once you have those strong basic principles in you, it would allow you to serve the people, to serve the Coast Guard and the sailors to the best of his abilities."
"I believe that whenever you put in new blood at the helm, they come with some new ideas and hopefully with more energy and continue to move, in this case, the Belize Coast Guard, to be able to better defend Belize and to support our people and to protect them and as I said I have very high admiration to the Coast Guard and to the sailors."
