Armed Forces Mark Independence With 45-Mile Relay

The Belize Coast Guard along with the Belize Police Department, and The Belize Defence Force, are joining this year’s Independence celebrations in a show of endurance, patriotism and national pride. Today, members of the armed forces took part in “Run 45,” a forty-five-mile relay from Cotton Tree Village to Belize City at the flag monument.  The run, under the national theme, “Look At Me. I Am Belize at 45”, had its objectives to promote fitness, teamwork and unity while reflecting the Coast Guard’s commitment to serving the country. The symbolic journey also highlights the organization’s core values of courage, commitment and respect. Commander of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis spoke on the event. 

Gregory Soberanis, Rear Admiral, Belize Coast Guard: “This is an initiative birthed from our respect Belize’s sovereignty, freedom, democracy and liberty. I want you to look to the left and to my right, what you see behind me here are warriors, security forces, warriors, birthed from a legacy of men and women who were champions of democracy. Champions of our freedoms and champions of our independence. And so today, as members of the Belize Coast Guard, members of the Police Force and members of the BDF we are proud to be a part of that legacy. Warriors who continue to defend the sovereignty of this nation. And it was with that idea that this room was run was birthed. Because we saw independence more than just concerts and carnival and like I said the popping of confetti. For us it’s about honoring the legacy, celebrating the legacy of the men and women who stood in those halls and while it was not a fight that blood was shed, it was a fight of strategic thought and strategic moves that made Belize gain its independence and today as members of the security forces we are proud to be a part of that legacy and this run is a testament to that. This run says to us as members of the security forces that we must never forget those who have gone before us, those who have sacrificed, those who were committed to our cause that was greater than themselves and so it is with that in mind that we came out today and we did this forty five miles run.”
 

More than sixty men and women participated in the relay.