SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine – The Jamaica Combined Cadet Force (JCCF) was last Sunday presented with the key to Spanish Town by the St Catherine Parish Council, for services to the parish, particularly in the area of civic affairs.

The presentation was made at a civic ceremony in Spanish Town’s historic Emancipation Square.

Dr Andrew Wheatley, the mayor of Spanish Town and chairman of the parish council, in presenting the key to JCCF commandant Col Lemuel Lindo, said the cadet force has played an integral part in delivering service to St Catherine, especially at civic ceremonies, Labour Day activities and other community events.

Dr Wheatley said the council had in June unanimously passed a resolution to recognise the JCCF for its sterling community contribution to the parish.

The presentation coincided with the Cadets Founders’ Month celebrations, first started in November 1943 by Major Michael Ralph DeCordova, who had founded the cadet force as a para-military organisation.

Of the 3,000 cadets in Jamaica, St Catherine has an establishment of 300 of which 112 formed the guard of honour which Dr Wheatley inspected before the presentation.

The mayor also commended the force for helping the youth in building good character, and at the same time called for the force to be expanded. The expansion of the cadet force, the mayor said, would help in reducing the levels of lawlessness and indiscipline in the society.

The mayor’s view was supported by St Catherine custos Sophia Azan.

“The (cadet) force has been instrumental in steering youths in the direction to become leaders of integrity, stability and purpose. The high level of discipline they demonstrate has made them outstanding in the society,” Azan said.

JCCF training officer Captain Cosmo Budhoo said receiving the key to the Old Capital was a great honour which was immensely appreciated as the platoon of 300 cadets in St Catherine has worked hard in the parish.