The legionnaires marched briskly.Â
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So did the hundreds of Barbados Defence Force (BDF) soldiers, Barbados Police Service officers, and other military officials who paraded onto Heroes Square on Sunday to the police band’s solemn music.Â
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When they arrived, they were greeted by applause from the audience gathered in the City to commemorate Remembrance Day and Inter-denominational Service.Â
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The event is held annually to honour the service people who lost their lives during World Wars I and II.Â
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Although there were a few showers, the parade’s prompt 8 a.m. start was not delayed and the sun eventually saved the day.Â
Although a few of the officers fainted, the hour-long parade was incident free.Â
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The City was filled with spectators who wore National colours and a few visitors who witnessed the proceedings from the Chamberlain Bridge and the Wickham-Lewis Boardwalk. Â Â
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They prayed and sang along to the many hymns sung during the ceremony.Â
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Many pulled out their cellphones, and a few even had professional cameras to record the demonstrations. Some of the officials also monitored the activities from the roofs of Parliament, the Treasury Building, and a few vessels in the Careenage.Â
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The parade and religious service attracted senior officials including Head of State President the Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, Acting Prime Minister Santia Bradshaw and many foreign diplomats.Â
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They were among those who laid wreaths at the Cenotaph.Â
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Members of the BDF band, Barbados Cadet Corp also participated in the parade.Â
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When they marched off the parade square, they were again cheered by the crowds watching from the sidelines. (TG)Â