BY: Leroy Smith
At the GUYSUCO Hanger, the atmosphere and afternoon was a solemn one as the soldiers who were involved in the Guyana Defence Force Bell 412 returned home, among them two alive and five dead.
On Friday, December 18, 2023, survivors of the crash Lieutenant Andeo Crawford and Corporal Wayne Jackson first arrived home. Under the watchful eyes of their Commander in Chief President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister, retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, and Guyana Defence Force Chief of Staff Brigadier Omar Khan.
Family members were also present. Upon their arrival, medical personnel first ensured that the men were secured on stretchers before anyone could have approached them to offer them welcome home wishes and prayers.
They were then placed in two Guyana Fire Service and Rescue Ambulances and escorted by two Guyana Police Force Traffic Ranks on motorcycles to the Georgetown Public Hospital for a general checkup and observation.
After they departed, the media and everyone else present, waited for the arrival of the bodies of the deceased.
Col Michael Shahoud, Lt. Col. Michael Charles, Lt. Col. Sean Welcome, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan.
Expectedly, the atmosphere for this arrival was different. Several Staff Sergeants presented themselves to drape the coffins with the Country’s National Flag- Golden Arrow Head.
Once that was done, the coffins were individually carried on the shoulders of well-dressed soldiers as they made their way through an honour guard. Former Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford who lost her husband, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton in the crash, broke down in tears when his name was mentioned as the coffin with his remains were removed from the GDF’s SKY Van.
The removal of the bodies were witnessed by President Ali and senior Guyana Defence Force personnel.
The tragedy while it has shaken the country, has struck the president very hard as he described the soldiers as some of his trusted friends. He flew to many corners of Guyana over the last three years with Lieutenant Michal Charles taking the lead in the cockpit. For him, the loss of the five soldiers was a deep loss to the country and a devastating blow to him personally.
The bodies were placed in individual hearses and were later escorted by police off of the Roraima Airways Hanger Tarmac where they were parked.
As the coffins were placed into the hearses and drove off, President Irfaan Ali walked back to his vehicle and could be seen sinking deeper and deeper into sorry with every step he took.
He eventually could not bear it any longer and broke down into tears and greeted soldiers before departing.
It was clear, the president, like his entire nation, could not stomach such an immeasurable loss to the army and the entire nation.
SEE THE ARRIVAL OF THE SURVIVORS
SEE THE ARRIVAL OF THE DECEASED
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO COUNTRY! THANK YOU TO YOUR FAMILIES FOR ALLOWING YOU TO SERVE!