GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best declared open the Brazilian Language Class at Coast Guard Ship Hinds, Ruimveldt, Georgetown, on Monday.
He said, over the years, he has seen the military relationship between the two countries strengthen and recalled his training days in Brazil, where he learnt to speak Portuguese.

Two soldiers of the Guyana Defence Force recently returned from earthquake shattered Haiti as part of the Caribbean Disaster Relief Unit ‘s (CDRU) efforts in helping to bring relief to the nation.

Sergeant Leon Martin of the Defence Operations Centre and Corporal Eion Junor, a carpenter of the 4 Engineer Battalion, were sent to Haiti on January 20 , following the activiation of the CDRU.

The CDRU which is an organ of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, comprises personnel from the defence and police forces of the region who fill various appointments that are rotated annually.  Personnel assembled in April and after undergoing collective training are on call in their respective countries.  The Unit was deployed to Haiti shortly after the earthquake.

Martin’s specific duties entailed the setting up of the Operational Centre at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport  while Junor participated in the building of tents and other accommodation for the members of the Caribbean military contingent on the ground. Both soldiers spent three weeks in Haiti .
While there the soldiers said they also engaged in the distribution of food supplies to persons who were forced to flee their homes in Port- au – Prince after the earthquake hit on January 12.
Leogane , Fonds Verettes, Monville , and Cil`eque are some of the cities where the soldiers engaged in food distribution.
The soldiers recounted the level of destruction to the country’s infrastructure as well as the conditions under which its people are now forced to survive. They confirmed the images made available daily by international media but called the experience a rewarding one which has forced them to be more appreciative of life.

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, yesterday urged the newly commissioned officers of the Guyana Defence Force Standard Officer’s Course # 42 to sustain the security of Guyana and review their actions and thoughts to meet the needs of the Guyanese people.Jagdeo said that on February 23 this year we will be celebrating 40 years as a republic the date and the memory surrounding that event are a lasting impression on generations of Guyanese.

He said, “So too must your contributions to the military be designed to produce a lasting impression; you as members of the military must sustain the security of Guyana, the protection of our nationhood and cultivation of pride and patriotism of our people ... your conduct and your achievement would ensure this”.
President Jagdeo also called on the officers to examine themselves at all times and review their actions and thoughts so as to meet the expectations of the Guyanese people.

The historic achievement of woman private Melika Scotland was lauded by Chief-of-Staff Commodore Gary Best as the Guyana Defence Force Women’s Army Corps commenced celebration in recognition of the 43rd anniversary of its existence.