Minister of National Security Jeffrey Baron is in Jamaica representing Bermuda at a series of events.

Mr Baron will today attend the funeral of businesswoman and philanthropist Hazel Dalley in Montego Bay and on behalf of the Royal Bermuda Regiment he will deliver a tribute at the funeral.

For nearly 50 years, Ms Dalley was a great source of support and assistance to generations of the Bermuda’s regiment leadership and soldiers. She ran Dalley’s Variety Store on Gloucester Avenue in Montego Bay which welcomed all Bermudians. During her lifetime, “Miss Hazel” or “Auntie Hazel” as she was fondly known, “took Bermuda’s regiment soldiers under her wing and treated them like family”.

She died last month aged 89. RBR Lieutenant Colonel David Curley is accompanying Mr Baron to Jamaica and to Ms Dalley’s funeral.

Also today, Mr Baron and Lt Col Curley will attend the Jamaica Defence Force’s Change of Command Ceremony, which will see ceremonial events for the outgoing Chief of Defence, Major General Antony Anderson, and the official welcoming of new Chief of Defence, Major General Rocky Meade.

Outgoing Major General Anderson was recently appointed as Jamaica’s first National Security Adviser (NSA) to the Government.

At the time of his appointment, Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that General Anderson’s role will be to advise the Prime Minister and Minister of National Security through the National Security Council on matters of internal and external security affairs, which broadly include defence, crime and security, public safety-related policy and strategy, inter-agency co-operation, partner-nation engagement, and regional and international security.

It is expected that Prime Minister Holness, Jamaica’s cabinet ministers, and Government officials will be in attendance at tomorrow’s Change of Command ceremony.

Mr Baron said: “I am extremely privileged to be representing Bermuda in Jamaica. Certainly, Hazel Dalley meant so much to so many here in Bermuda and it’s only fitting that we express our thanks and appreciation to her in this way.

“Without question, the public is aware that Bermuda has some significant, generational and cultural ties to Jamaica. Of particular note, however, is our important co-operation and long history with the JDF on training matters. And that strong bond has afforded the RBR, the Bermuda Police Service and the St John’s Ambulance service to participate in invaluable training exercises in Jamaica over the years. And, as the Minister of National Security, it is exciting to be a part of tomorrow’s official Change of Command ceremony signalling the new leadership of the JDF.

“I also look forward to extending formal congratulations on behalf of Bermuda to Major General Anderson on his new appointment.”