Last Sunday there was an extraordinary gathering that happens maybe once per generation.

The Royal Bermuda Regiment held a homecoming service in which all servicemen and ex-service men of the Bermuda Militia, Bermuda Rifles and Bermuda Regiment were invited to come and gather. Essentially it was a military family reunion.

A gathering of multiple generations of Bermudian soldiers does not happen often and with this being the 50th anniversary of the Bermuda Regiment, it lent itself to be that much more historic an event.

As with any family reunion there was tons of food, tons of liquid refreshments and well, tons of talking.

Anyone who has served in the Regiment knows that when soldiers gather there will be tons of stories some empirical some embellished. Some historical and some his-storical.

In speaking with one senior NCO (non-commissioned officer) they spoke of the changes they have witnessed in the Regiment over the last few years. With a greater push for volunteers there has been a welcomed influx of more females looking to serve.

This in itself lends to a more diverse regiment.

With the Regiment taking on more roles such as maritime patrol and assisting the Bermuda Police Service, they seem to have attracted persons who might have previously never contemplated serving.

So for this senior NCO it was a welcome challenge to have to deal with mixed genders in the ranks.

NCOs are the backbone of any military organisation and worth their weight in platinum.

Among the gathering of soldiers there stood three such men who are regiment legends.

Men, who, at the mere mention of their name, would have many men, long after leaving the Regiment, instinctively looking at their shoes to ensure they were clean.

These three men commanded respect without having to shout, scream or send anyone to the lock-up. Not to say they never shouted, screamed or sent anyone to the lock-up, but such were their man-management skills they naturally had men willing to follow their every command without hesitation.

Their pace sticks were their magic wands in which they made entire companies of hundreds of men march left, wheel right and salute sharply as one unit. These men led thousands into jungles, into battle and into self-maturation.

These three men were part of the original intake of recruits in 1965 when the regiment was first formed.

I speak of none other than WO1s (Warrant officers first class) sergeant majors: Herman Eve, Clifford Lambert and John Richardson.

With a combined total service time to the Regiment — and by extension Bermuda — exceeding 100 years, it is safe to say between these three men they would know almost every Bermudian male by surname.

Captain Eve even has a motto: “If I can’t recall your name I will buy you a drink.” Suffice it to say his wallet always stays closed as his memory is as sharp as a pin.

During the gathering they spoke about several side-splittingly funny situations whilst on exercise in Jamaica. It was indeed a special moment to hear them share stories from their military experiences.

There is a special bond that takes place between men in the ranks that is near impossible to describe to those who have not served. If you have served with someone for 20 to 50 years you are indeed bonded as brothers beyond measure.

Sergeant majors thank you for your bond and your service to Bermuda.