Patriots, mentors and friends – Guyana Chronicle

–fallen heroes honoured, celebrated at massive ceremony
–Sgt Khan gets posthumous promotion to Warrant Officer Class Two

HEARTFELT tributes poured in on Monday night for the five servicemen who lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash last week, as family members and fellow military colleagues shared memories of the “great” men.

Brigadier Gary Beaton- Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud, Commander of First Infantry Battalion; Lt. Col. Michael Charles, Pilot; Lt. Col. Sean Welcome, Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan of 31 Special Forces Squadron died tragically when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in the Mazaruni area.

Addressing a mammoth crowd at the National Stadium, Providence, Brigadier Beaton’s brother Colin Beaton, shared that his beloved sibling was an academic who prided himself on reading.
He was also a sports enthusiast who loved cricket and table tennis, all sports believed to have fuelled his competitive spirit.

He was many things, a patriot, a mentor and even a pastor to many, but most of all he was a proud military officer.
“My brother lived for the military. My brother had dreams of being a professional solider and a professional engineer. Thanks to the Guyana Defence Force those dreams came through,” Colin said.

Meanwhile, Col. Shahoud’s uncle, in brief remarks, said that his nephew was dedicated to his job, but most of all he was dedicated to his family.
“I have to tell you, it saddens me that he’s gone. But I know he lives on in the hearts of many people that[sic] he met,” he said.

Kimberley Charles, the niece of Lt. Col. Charles, shared a glimpse of his life as an aviation and photography enthusiast.

Aside from his love for flying, her uncle, she said, loved his country wholeheartedly and spent many of his days capturing Guyana’s beauty and saving lives.
Charles, who was popularly known for capturing the vast and picturesque landscapes of Guyana’s hinterland region, was also a storyteller who shared many of his travels not only with his family, but also with all Guyanese.

He was a proud teacher, mentor and friend and he always wanted to learn more about whatever he was doing, whether he was behind his camera or if he was in the helicopter, he was supremely dedicated to training the next generation of Guyanese aviators.

With his photos and videos of Guyana, Lt. Col. Charles changed the way people viewed themselves as Guyanese, and the way the world sees the nation.

“He wasn’t just my uncle Mike, we was everyone’s uncle Mike,” Kimberley said.
Choking back tears, James Tappin, the brother of Lt. Col. Sean Welcome, recalled fonder memories of his sibling.

“Sean was simply my big brother; to me in the truest sense …he always had all the backs of all the persons he cared about. I remember when I was in nursery school Sean was the one tasked with taking me and my young sister to school, and it was a task he performed with a sort of pleasure to him,” he said.

Tappin recalled that Lt. Col. Welcome was his confidant, noting: “He was a friend, he was my brother; I could depend on him in any difficult circumstances.”

He described the military mogul as a patriot who served selflessly, noting that Lt. Col. Welcome prided himself in academics and had big dreams for his family, particularly his young son who now mourns his passing.

In an emotional tribute, Ciara Benjamin, the daughter of Staff Sergeant Jason Khan of 31 Special Forces Squadron, said her father was her hero. Sgt. Khan was later promoted posthumously by Army Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan to the rank of Warrant Officer Class Two.

“If he was [sic] here, he would have said, ‘wipe your tears, why are you crying…’that’s my dad. He loved fearlessly. He tried his best to make us happy and comfortable each day. We will never forget the sacrifices he made, the many days he left himself without to keep us fulfilled. He’s the strongest, selfless, loving and most stubborn man I’ve ever known,” Benjamin added.

Sharing some of her fondest memories, the teen recalled the stories he told her and her siblings of his many missions.

“The most favourite time with him is when we do karaoke’s at night when he’s telling us those scary bush stories,” she said.

Amid musical renditions, prayers and the comforting words of poetry, wreaths were laid for the five fallen heroes by family members, friends, government officials and members of the joint services.

THIS IS WHAT WE LIVE BY

Meanwhile, the GDF’s Chief of Staff in his remarks noted that all officers and ranks are produced from the same military factory.

Etched in their souls, he said, is the unwavering passion to service.

“Every day a soldier gets up, puts on his boots, his uniform and prepares to defend this country. Unknowing to most of us, stamped in every successful officers [sic] and ranks [sic] in their hearts is the statement made in Guyana and to serve Guyana. We may not be able to say why we get up in the morning to face unknowns, but we do it and we do it selflessly. These officers would have done just that,” the Army Chief added, while offering comforting words to the parents, spouses and children of the fallen heroes.

At the ceremony, servicemen from French Guiana were present, to support the GDF during their time of mourning. Other heads of the Guyana’s Joint Services also gave brief remarks.

THEY WERE THE CRÈME DE LA CRÈME

Speaking on behalf of the President, Prime Minister, Briagdier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips delivered the feature address at the event.

The former Army Chief disclosed that he served, trained and worked alongside all of the fallen heroes.
“I’ve known all of these men personally, those who died and those who survived. All of these men served on the border, because in the military when you finish your training, the first place you must serve is on the border. Khan served on the border, Mike Charles before he became a pilot served on the border…he was my squaddie, we trained together…we both served on the border,” the Prime Minister said.

“Gary Beaton, I trained Gary Beaton, I was his principle [sic] instructor on his cadet course,” he added.
Recounting his days in uniform, the Prime Minister shared fond memories of his colleagues and many missions they had through thick and mountainous terrains of Guyana’s forest.

“They would have done patrols, foot patrols through the jungle defining aggression, defending Guyana …They were the crème da la crème, the best in [the] GDF,” the former Army Chief said.