GDF Coast Guard celebrates 23 years of services

GDF_CRESTGeorgetown:  Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard is celebrating 23 years in existence, and has embarked on several programmes to strengthen organization.

 Commander Gary Beaton at the event delivered the force message at the Coast Guard’s 23rd Anniversary church service today.

At the event were special invitee Minister of the Public Service Jenifer Westford,  MARAD officials, Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best and senior army officers.

Beaton charged that, “This programme is designed for us to work alongside the Brazilian Navy so as to improve our competence. Importantly, it (program) was designed to test individuals, teams and eventually the entire ship’s company competence.”

Beaton said it was by no accident that the army celebrates its anniversary with the theme “Embracing our past, enriching our present for total defence. He said “I have chosen the theme for the Anniversary for I believe anniversary is a time to celebrate the joys of today, the memories of yesterday and the hopes of tomorrow,” which is also in keeping with the Annual Officers’ Conference 2013.

Army Education Programme also accepted a donation of several books from the Minister of the Public Service Jenifer Westford.

Minister Westford said after congratulating the force on their anniversary that the books handed over would come in extremely handy as the Coast Guard Commander in his quest to educate his ranks constantly requested the reading material.