Dear Editor,
In a very simple way, I wish to congratulate the Guyana Defence Force on its 50th Anniversary. It has withstood the calumny of its detractors, the ignominy of being allegedly used by a previous administration to cement political power; the very serious misdeeds of some of its serving members, including the cardinal sin by aggrieved ranks of the Force, to challenge a military decision by the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force in the civil court; and the rather preposterous accusation of ‘blood on his hands.’
I served the Guyana Defence Force for thirty-four years, enlisting as a recruit in 1966, serving as a junior non-commissioned officer, senior non-commissioned officer, warrant officer, commissioned as a lieutenant in 1985 (Course 16) later promoted to captain and finally retiring as a major in 2000.
One of the highlights of my service was being part of a Ceremonial Parade during which the Mayoress and Councillors of the City of Georgetown, gave permission to the Guyana Defence Force, to enter the said city with bayonets fixed, flags flying and drums beating.
That special document is now lodged at the Military Museum in Base Camp Ayanganna.
The Guyana Defence Force has come a long way from the days of the point 303 rifle, the LMG, SMG, and the two inch mortar; there is still much more to be done.
I wish to applaud the announcement by President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on designating the first of November each year as Defence Force Day; I also look forward to his other announcement in respect to the strengthening and equipping of the Force, to better perform its main function of the defence of our territorial integrity.
Elysium and Valhalla, are the spiritual, homes, which the Romans (Elysium) and the Vikings or Norsemen (Valhalla) yearned for, prior to their demise, whether in battle or by a natural cause. The Valkyries, according to Norse mythology, flew over the battlefield collecting the souls/bodies of the fallen Vikings and transporting them to Valhalla. Richard Wagner’s music, captivating and beautiful as depicted in Siegfried’s Funeral March, is a clear indication of that yearning to enter that special place.
Death comes to all, even (old) soldiers who normally fade away. I wish to humbly suggest that the time has come for an exclusive Military Cemetery to receive the remains of our soldiers and police ranks who may have died during active service, to be given serious consideration.
Yours faithfully,
C S Vaughn, Major (Rtd)
