Barbados’ first President, Dame Sandra Mason, took her final salute in a ceremony steeped in military precision and national pride on Wednesday, drawing to a close nearly a decade as the constitutional leader of the nation, as last viceroy and first Head of State of the Republic.
Under a bright St Ann’s Fort sky, with detachments of the Barbados Defence Force, The Barbados Police Service, Barbados Coast Guard and Barbados Cadet Corps drawn up in precise formation, the president took her final salute in a moment that carried the weight of history and sentiment.
As the last governor-general and first president of the Republic, her farewell marked the close of almost a decade in constitutional leadership of the nation.
Addressing the officers who stood before her, President Mason reflected on a journey she said she “could not have imagined” when she first entered public life.
“Today marks a moment I could not have imagined when I first assumed the honour of serving Barbados in constitutional office, first as governor general, and later, as the inaugural president of our Republic,” she said. “To stand before the men and women of the Defence Force and The Barbados Police Service for my final parade is both humbling and profoundly meaningful.”
She returned repeatedly to the theme of service — her own, and that of those she had the privilege to lead as commander-in-chief.
“From the first day I took up the mantle of commander-in-chief, I regarded this role not as ceremonial pageantry, but as a solemn responsibility,” she stressed, adding that the duty required the safeguarding of national institutions and support for those who “protect our democracy with discipline, courage and quiet sacrifice”.
She praised the unwavering professionalism of the armed and protective services, recalling their work in maintaining security, responding swiftly in moments of national strain, and participating in regional humanitarian missions. “Your professionalism has never wavered,” she said.
President Mason also acknowledged her own growth through leadership, noting that although she had held many titles — “teacher, lawyer, magistrate, judge, ambassador” — her service as commander-in-chief underscored that true leadership requires “decisiveness, integrity, humility, and gratitude”.
She then turned to express a special word of appreciation to the Barbados Cadet Corps, a group she said had delighted her throughout her tenure. She recalled with visible fondness the annual birthday parades they staged, including the year they created the number “75” in formation to mark what she affectionately labelled the “50th anniversary of my 25th birthday”.
As her term draws to an end, President Mason framed the moment not only as a farewell, but as part of Barbados’ ongoing national evolution.
“Transitions in leadership are a natural part of institutional life,” she said. “Barbados stands at an important juncture, still shaping the architecture of our republican journey. You, loyal sons and daughters all, remain essential to that nation-building.”
She spoke of the “extraordinary privilege” of serving as Barbados’ first president. “I will always carry with me the pride of having been your commander-in-chief. May you continue to uphold the highest ideals of service…. May God bless you, and may God bless Barbados.”
(SB)
The post President bids farewell at St Ann’s Fort appeared first on Barbados Today.