By Private Tradeen Foster

During the past season of good cheer and remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess also remembered the spouses of the men and women of this noble organization. What started out years ago at the Garrison Officers and Sergeants’ Mess as Ladies Night, has now grown into a ‘Spouses Night’ Dinner.

Held in the quiet and exuberating ambiance of the Grande Independence Ballroom of the Wyndam Kingston Hotel, in New Kingston on December 28, 2012, the Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess hosted its first Spouses’ Night Dinner. This Regimental Dinner was attended by Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Antony Anderson, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Rocky Meade, Principal Staff Officers of the JDF, and over six hundred mess members, spouses and invited guests.

The evening started off with a Champagne Reception at 1830 hours, before everyone partook of the five course meal for which Warrant Officer Class One (WO1) Richard Escoffery asked God’s blessings. The welcome was given by the Force Sergeant Major (FSM), WO1 Errol McKenzie whilst the introduction of General Anderson as Guest Speaker was done by WO1 Lawrence Nelson.

It was a fun filled evening as musical cheers were provided by the Jamaica Regiment Band under the baton of Acting Bandmaster Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Oscar Robinson. DJ Kevin Thompson also helped to keep the mass well entertained.

The FSM,WO1 McKenzie stated that, "it was a tremendous success and for this success I must commend the hard work of the planning committee, headed by WO1 L Nelson, who started the planning and preparation from as early as January 2012."

The Garrison Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess intends to host its Spouses’ Night Dinner bi-annually with the alternative being the New Year’s Eve Ball.