VKS celebrates tenth anniversary,
16 receive Medal of Public Order
OYSTER BAY--Sixteen members of the Voluntary Corps St. Maarten VKS were honoured Thursday when they were presented with the Voluntary Medal of Public Order and Safety for ten years of uninterrupted voluntary service to the community.
Amongst those decorated was VKS Commander Major Jean Illidge.
The medals were pinned on by Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards during a reception on the occasion of the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the VKS at Oyster Bay Beach Resort. Before the ceremony, there was a church service at St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church in Philipsburg.
Richards said in his speech at the reception that the VKS was dedicated and committed and had shown much love for St. Maarten. “Hard work has made VKS successful in St. Maarten,” he said, adding that very important for the VKS was the assistance it gave to the police.
He also stressed that without the input of the Voluntary Corps the Police Force, which is understaffed, would have had to put in a lot of extra work.
He said Illidge had taught VKS members to act with the necessary discipline and integrity.
The VKS was officially established on June 28, 1997. Illidge said the corps had held various courses during the past 10 years to upgrade the volunteers.
“We have established a special response team that can respond to any and all eventualities when assistance is required by the police. We have had warfare training sessions with the Dutch Marines, where new techniques were learned,” Illidge said.
He pointed out as well that VKS members were well trained, well disciplined, well committed and dedicated, and well motivated. “These are some of the principles that we strive for foremost. Our high standard of discipline that we maintain within the VKS is what brought us through these 10 years. Many VKS members have become police officers, Immigration officers and prison guards.”
First Lieutenant Tom Josefa of the Voluntary Corps Curaçao VKC, present on behalf of VKC Commander De Jesus as well as the Voluntary Corps of Bonaire and St. Eustatius, said he had been present at the very beginning of the VKS.
“I have to congratulate the members of the corps for their interest and dedication and for showing the community that this corps is a serious and dedicated one whose main objective is to serve the community,” Josefa said.
