‘Independence is a Mission’: President Ali Salutes Joint Services at 60th Anniversary Route March

May 17, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – It was a stirring display of patriotism, discipline, and national pride early Saturday morning as thousands of Joint Services personnel took to the streets of Georgetown for the 60th Independence Anniversary Route March. Held in observance of Guyana’s Diamond Jubilee, spanning from 1966 to 2026, the parade brought together the past, present, and future of the nation’s security and civic architecture. The massive event beautifully illustrated the official theme of the milestone occasion: “One Route. One Purpose. One Nation. Discipline. Unity. Pride.”

The procession commenced at 07:15 hrs. from Vlissengen Road, directly opposite the Ayanganna Playfield. Moving with rhythmic precision, the ranks marched proudly through a designated route encompassing Brickdam, Camp Street, and Church Street, before heading back down Vlissengen Road. Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali, received the official presidential salute at the intersection of Thomas Lands and Vlissengen Road. He was accompanied by Prime Minister Brigadier General Ret’d Mark Phillips, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, Traffic Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh, Director of Prisons (ag) Nicklon Elliott and Chief Fire Office (ag) Gregory Wickham.

Addressing the massive gathering of uniformed ranks, President Ali delivered his speech, officially saluting all the men and women in uniform and extending gratitude to the families who allow them the opportunity to serve with the greatest honour and dignity. In his address, the President directly proclaimed, “This morning, I officially salute all our men and women in uniform and by extension, your families, who allow you this opportunity to serve with the greatest honor and dignity this beautiful country of ours. The people of Guyana salute you. And this morning, I honor your courage, your service, your discipline, and your dedication.”

He stated that sixty years ago, under the Golden Arrowhead, Guyana declared to the world that this land is ours, explicitly reminding the ranks that, “Sixty years ago, under the Golden Arrowhead, we declared to the world that Guyana is ours. Independence was not a ceremony. It was a covenant. A covenant that our freedom would be defended, our borders respected, and our people kept safe from internal strife and disorder. Today, through this march, by our disciplined services, we bear witness once again to that covenant. We renew that pledge, made at Independence, and contained in the story of the song of the Republic.”

Quoting the Song of the Republic, President Ali noted how the nation’s children pledge each faithful hour to guard Guyana’s land, stating, “Our children pledge each faithful hour to guard Guyana’s land. And we are defended to the joint services. Thank you for every sacrifice, seen and unseen, march proudly, guard fiercely.” Turning to the ex-servicemen and upcoming generations, the President explicitly stated, “To our veterans, I say thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your commitment and thank you for your life of patriotism. To the youngsters coming up, I say, take the best of examples from the best among us and make it the value system that allow you to build the best country we can ever have.” He told the troops that at every step they take, they echo the truth that independence is not a memory, but a mission of which they are the ultimate guardians, directly charging them, “Today, the joint services, I salute you, I thank you for every sacrifice seen and unseen. And at every step you take today, echo the truth that independence is not a memory. It is a mission and you are its guardians.”

In closing, the President invoked blessings upon the motherland and explicitly thanked Guyana’s international allies and friends who stand in defense with us, offering not only their word but their commitment in action, declaring, “I thank you and God may continue to bless our motherland, all of you and your families and all the people of our beautiful country. God bless you. God bless our allies, our friends who stand in defense with us, who support us, who give their, not only their word, but their commitment in action. To our allies who stand with us, we thank you and we see you as part of our grand family. God bless all of you.”

While the overall public turnout along certain parts of the route was modest, the spirit of the morning was kept vibrant by enthusiastic residents and children from the Kitty and Campbellville neighborhoods who lined the pavements to watch. Adding a unique international flavour to the spectator crowd, migrant workers from China and various Spanish-speaking nations, currently employed at nearby construction sites, also paused their morning routines to stand and admire the multi-service spectacle passing by.

Prior to the President’s address, Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan, welcomed the Commander-in-Chief and acknowledged the heads of the various technical services.

Brigadier Khan emphasized that the men and women in uniform rose early with a unique purpose that has stood the test of time for the past sixty years, defining that purpose simply as service by noting, “It’s another day where the men and women in uniforms rose again with purpose. A purpose that is unique. A purpose that continues to stand the test of time and for the past 60 years. This purpose is service. Purpose to serve. Purpose to protect. Purpose to help. Purpose to lead. Purpose to cherish and to realize the dreams of our people. The ambition of a nation and the pride of our country. Our Independence Route March this morning is a demonstration of this purpose. And I thank all of you for demonstrating this purpose through your presence here this morning.”

Brigadier Khan noted that the Independence Route March was a perfect demonstration of this purpose, seamlessly integrating the past, present, and future, directly asking, “What more can it be when we have the past, the present, and the future integrated in purpose and service? This is purpose. This is purpose to serve. This is purpose to protect. And this is purpose to help and to lead. And I want to thank all of you for demonstrating this service this morning.” He extended his specific gratitude to each faction of the security forces, stating, “From the fireman and the woman who steps out every day prepared to save lives and property. I thank you for your service. To the prison officer overseeing the rehabilitation process of inmates and ensuring their successful integration back into our society. Thank you for your service. To the police officer waking up every day to ensure a safe and secure environment is maintained. I thank you for your service. To our soldiers standing guard securing our borders all 83,000 square miles. Thank you for your service. To our veterans who serve, I thank you for your service.”

Addressing the youth, he said, “you have embarked on a rewarding journey of service. The path you have taken will allow you to be all that you can. And we are here to guide you. All of us here are with purpose. A purpose of service. And I thank you for saving. The people of Guyana deserve no less. Your commitment, your dedication to service and to serve the people of Guyana. It’s remarkable. Significant. And it’s one of our corner pillars of our professionalism to serve our country. Happy 60th Independence Anniversary. We will be celebrating in a few days’ time. May God continue to bless you, your families, our people, and our nation.”

Reflecting on the opening of the Guyana Festival 2026 the previous evening, which was launched by the Commander-in-Chief to usher in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations under the theme “Sound, Soul, and Taste,” Brigadier Khan concluded that this motif applies perfectly to the security forces.

He assured the President of their unwavering devotion, closing his presentation by stating, “Just last evening, our commanding chief at the opening of the Guyana Festival 2026 to usher in our 60th Independence Anniversary celebration reflected on our country’s past, present, and the future we are building. Of particular interest, the festival was launched under the theme Sound, Soul, and Taste. I have concluded this theme is not unique to service. And commanding chief, all of us in uniform, across the joint services, the young cadets, the scouts, the ambulance brigade, we will continue to sound the alarm of service, be our souls of service, and encourage everyone to indulge in a taste of service. Commanding chief, it is an honour to welcome you to address the troops of this 60th Independence Route March for real. I thank you. Thank you very much.”

Accompanied by their respective martial bands, a steel pan orchestra, and mounted soldiers, the proud troupes marched onward, setting a disciplined and unified tone for the upcoming independence anniversary celebrations.

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• Anniversary Route March, Guyana Independence, Joint services

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