By Shuntel Glasgow
A memorial service was held yesterday morning at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown to honour the five fallen heroes of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) who lost their lives in the Bell 412 helicopter crash on December 7, 2023.
The five were Brigadier Retired Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Warrant Officer II Jason Khan, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome and Colonel Michael Shahoud. They were described as men who lived their lives filled with courage and commitment to the people of Guyana. In a heartfelt tribute, Johnathan Welcome remembered his father Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome as a kind-hearted and fearless individual. He described his late father as “king of the jungle,” likening him to “the mighty lion.” He shared cherished memories of their time together, including meaningful conversations about the future during school commutes and visits to the seawall. He said that his father, who was his biggest motivator, had an unwavering dream for him to achieve success and his influence continues to inspire him.
“Dad, I wish at times that I could wake up from this nightmare,” he lamented, emphasizing that his father was too precious to be forgotten and too priceless to ever be replaced. He described him as “one in a million,” a unique presence in his life that he cherished dearly. Johnathan said that his father would forever live on in his heart and thoughts, never truly gone. “Until that day when we shall meet again,” he promised, “I will continue to cherish all my memories of you. You will forever be missed.”