Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is performing the functions of President, officially unveiled a $500 commemorative stamp honouring the late Captain Roland DaSilva yesterday afternoon at Base Camp Ayanganna.
The Guyana Post Office Corporation, in conjunction with the Guyana Defence Force, launched the stamp to commemorate Captain DaSilva’s legacy, a release from the Prime Minister’s office said. The stamp marks the first commemorative stamp for the year and will be available to the public starting February 26th.
In brief remarks, Phillips, a former GDF Chief of Staff, highlighted Captain DaSilva’s ‘military mind,’ paying tribute to his legacy as a skilled aircraft pilot with the unique ability to plan successful operations with the Guyana Defence Force.
Speaking to Captain DaSilva’s exemplary service and outstanding career, the Prime Minister said that the pioneer aviator was the first Guyanese to join British Guiana Airways as a pilot, the first Guyanese to hold a commercial licence, the first Guyanese to qualify as a captain on a DC3; and the first Guyanese, along with Tony Man-Son-Hing, on the Twin Otter aircraft.
He pointed out that Da Silva became the first and only Guyanese to have received Guyana’s highest award, the Cacique Crown of Valour, for bravery in the highest honour in defence of Guyana in circumstances of great danger involving serious risk of life”.
Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, also acknowledged DaSilva’s life and achievements while expressing the honour of the GDF to recognise the serviceman’s legacy.
Other attendees included National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia; Acting Postmaster General Tiffany Williams; former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Major General (Ret’d) Norman McLean; Captain DaSilva’s family, and other members of the Guyana Defence Force.
