Persons poured in from all directions to be a part of this year’s carol service which was held at the Number One Hockey Field, on Tuesday 08 December 2009.

The gathering got even larger as the trumpets sounded to signal the start of the service. Present and past service members were seen trying to get as close as possible to the main stage to be a part of what was to unfold.   The platform which was well decorated with green and red trimmings was graced by readers after readers preaching the word of the Lord.

The weather held up perfectly and, the night was very still this set the stage for persons to enjoy a night of singing their favourite chorales.

After some selections from the JDF Massed Band and the JDF Choir, the Guest Speaker, DSS Elaine Cunningham President, of Mothers Union Anglican Diocese of Jamaica said we need hope in our society in order to move forward.

“We all should be messengers of hope in this turbulent time,” she said.

In his Christmas message the Jamaica Defence Force Padre, Reverend Captain Denston Smalling said that this year had been an eventful one. 

He went on to say that with the financial crisis and crumbling economy this should open our eyes to the real and harsh realities of life as it is lived by the great majority among us.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Stewart Saunders, said he was happy to see so many persons turning out for the service.

“As a nation, an organization, we all need to revisit the codes that govern us and begin to hold true to them in every aspect”, he emphasized.

The Governor- General The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen also took time out of his busy schedule to grace us with the reading of the sixth lesson.

• Preparing Our Youth For The Future
• Intake 101: The Journey Begins
• JDF Open Air Carol Service
• Training exercises, St Ann
• JDF Troops are back home