Granger to decree Nov. 1 as Defence Force Day

Nov 02, 2015 News

…as GDF celebrates Golden Jubilee

As the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, President David Granger has indicated his intention to declare November 1st as Defence Force Day.
President Granger made the declaration during a church service held yesterday at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) to commemorate the Force’s anniversary.
Granger said that the decision was a token of gratitude to the men and women of the GDF, past, present and future.
“As a token of the gratitude of the nation to our military men and women, I intend to declare that today, the First of November – and that this day every year hereafter – shall be observed throughout the nation as Defence Force Day.”
According to the retired Brigadier, it was his honour to be Guyana’s newest Commander-in-Chief during the GDF’s important milestone. He noted that the Force came into being on November 1, 1965, right at the time when Guyana was preparing to gain independence from Britain.

Members of the Brazilian Army also attended the GDF’s anniversary service

Guyana’s President and GDF Commander-in-Chief, David Granger during his address

“The nation is eternally grateful to the men and women who continue to serve with commitment, with constancy and with courage in the Guyana Defence Force,” Granger stressed. He further highlighted that, under Guyana’s constitution, the Force’s duty is to “defend national independence, preserve the country’s sovereignty and integrity, and guarantee the normal functioning of institutions and the security of citizens against any form of armed aggression.”
He said that, for 50 years, the Force has admirably upheld this constitutional obligation to the nation. He also said that the Force has been functioning in strict compliance with the Defence Act, which tasks the GDF with the duty to watch “valiantly and vigilantly” over the nation’s land and sea borders as well as protect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“Our national defence is one of peace; it is aimed at peaceful diplomacy and at the detection and deterrence of armed aggression. Our doctrine commands all the elements of national power to preserve our sovereignty and to protect our territory,” Granger emphasised. “Our people, in this regard, will continue to combine resources to support the Guyana Defence Force, comforted in the knowledge that the Defence Force will never let the people down. We are certain that the Defence Force in the future, as in the past, will always honour and uphold the constitution.”

The Colour Party receives the Colour from the Force’s Chaplain

The National Cultural Centre became a hive of activity when hundreds of soldiers turned out to observe the GDF’s 50th anniversary church service

He said this trust in the GDF is buoyed by the Force’s “extraordinary example and internal vigilance” as well as the unflinching service of its soldiers.
“We are inspired by the Force’s values – discipline, duty, identity, integrity and loyalty – values which continue to guide our men and women in uniform in their daily lives,” Granger said, before adding, “The 50th anniversary of our Defence Force finds us further along the road to consolidating our defence, reaffirming our democracy, protecting our integrity, and making Guyana a safer place for all of us.”
The Commander-in-Chief’’s words were echoed by Army Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier General Mark Phillips, who said that throughout the years the GDF has remained committed and resolved to ensuring the preservation of Guyana’s territorial integrity and the defence of its sovereignty.
“As we reflect on the evolution of the Guyana Defence Force, I am proud to be at the helm of this noble institution at this juncture of its history. I therefore wish to thank all who serve and give their all to the development of the Guyana Defence Force,” Phillips said. He especially thanked the nation’s former Commanders-in-Chief, past Chiefs-of-Staff and all veterans, local and overseas, for their contributions.
“Thanks to all our serving members, our officers, other ranks, civil employees, as we celebrate our achievements and, as I look ahead to the development of the Guyana Defence Force, I do so knowing that the foundation that has already been laid for the future of the Force is in good hands.”
Hundreds of army ranks turned out at the NCC to partake in the morning’s activities. Just on Friday, the army added 375 soldiers to its numbers. The service largely featured the talents of the GDF, from its singers, to its dancers, and musicians. Soldiers from Brazil’s military were also present.
The GDF’s golden jubilee is being celebrated under the theme “Commemorating the past; Celebrating the present; Carving the future”.