Dear Commandant,
It is with sadness to hear of your passing, as this moment gives us reason not only to mourn, but to reflect on your tenure and your legacy as we have witnessed it over the years.
I joined the VKS in 2001 with no military experience, and I can remember the first meeting with you in the small Madame Estate office between the laundry mat and Chinese restaurant, where you welcomed my application with the same serious manner you handled all applicants at that time.
From that time forward you built your reputation of being a calm person, who says less words, but with each word carrying more weight. You also showed a commanding presence without raising your voice or threatening punishments. Your word was enough to ensure that tasks would be completed, and your demeanour never changed whether you were addressing your officers or your newest (and confused) soldiers. It goes without saying that the highest ethics and morality were expected of all members, not only because of the Korpstucht (our governing rule book), but because you, the commander, was a living example.
You took a chance with me, allowing me to attend officer training in the VKS, even considering my age and lack of Dutch proficiency. That faith in me was appreciated and it gave me reason to develop more and even seek more leadership training in the formal military. I took special note of your clear written style of official notices, and your ability to maintain a force by growing it slowly and surely as opposed to pushing drastic ideas and changes that could have threatened the long-term sustainability of the organisation.
Your deep connection with the core of St. Maarten's population through church, charitable foundations, your previous professional expertise, and even domino skills, and your close impartial rapport with politicians from all parties when necessary proved to be an asset.
Most importantly in my life was the level of respect my father had for you and your organisation and his admiration for the end result of your hard work. As a fellow high ranking officer in his former years, he was well aware of your hurdles and challenges to keep this ship afloat, and moving in the right direction.
I would like to close this letter by acknowledging your safety measures during your life of service. During your reign as commander of the new and growing Korps (and let us be humble and thank God for this), the result was no on-the-job deaths, no excessive uses of force reported, and no negligent discharge of firearms resulting in injuries to your members while working as armed law enforcement.
I estimate that in the past decade close to half of a million individual man-hours of service were rendered to St. Maarten under your command with minimal incidents, and at a huge savings and necessity to the government.
Although you have now taken your last earthly breaths, we accept your continued guidance for us via your memories and accomplishments.
Respectfully,
A lieutenant in the VKS
Name withheld at author’s request.
