On the occasion of the GDF 60th Anniversary Church Service
He Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Honourable Brigadier Mark Phillips, Prime Minister
Members of the Defence Board
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Heads of Services
Retired Chiefs of Staff, other veterans including those who travelled from afar to be with us today
Force Chaplain
Leaders of our religious faiths
Colonel Kelloyd Roberts, Colonel General Staff and other Branch Heads
Commanders, Senior Officers
Junior Officers
Force Sergeant Major
Warrant Officers
Senior Non-Commissioned Officers
Junior Non-Commissioned Officers
Soldiers
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning.
There are moments in history when time pauses, not to count the years that have gone by, but to salute the courage of those who stood the test of them.
Today is one of those moments.
And it is indeed a profound privilege for me to stand before you this morning as we commemorate 60 years of dedicated military service to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana by the Guyana Defence Force.
To all of you, to all of us, to those who served before us, to those who served and are not with us, happy 60th anniversary.
You should know, that today, we gather not only to mark an anniversary, but also to give thanks in this first event to signal the commencement of our 60th celebration.
When the Guyana Defence Force was established on November 1, 1965, our founders laid a foundation built on three enduring principles: duty, discipline, and devotion.
They envisioned a professional force that would stand as the shield of our nation; ready to defend its sovereignty, uphold its values, and serve its people.
Today, six decades later, that vision lives on in every officer and rank who proudly wears this uniform.
From our early beginnings to our modern achievements, the GDF has remained steadfast in defending our borders, safeguarding our people, and contributing to national development.
We have been called upon in times of peace and in times of challenge, and each time, we have answered with resolve, professionalism, and pride.
The journey has been worthwhile, and this very milestone belongs to every officer, to every soldier, past and present. It belongs to the pioneers who built the Force from humble beginnings. It belongs to the veterans whose service and sacrifice strengthened our foundation. It belongs to our fallen – those who stood strong in their last hours and becoming the guardians of our memory.
It also belongs to the current generation, to those who continue to uphold our proud traditions while embracing the future with vision and courage.
And behind all of us, our families – the silent sentinels of sacrifice – we celebrate this anniversary with you too. Thank you for being there always.
As Chief of Defence Staff, I am immensely proud of the men and women who serve this Force today.
Your commitment to excellence, your resilience in the face of adversity, and your loyalty to Guyana are the reasons the GDF continues to stand tall: respected at home and recognised abroad.
But while we reflect on our achievements, we must also look ahead.
The next chapter of our journey will demand quick adaptation, smart innovation, and astute leadership.
The challenges of modern defence, technology, climate security, and regional cooperation require that we remain fully aware, adaptable, quick at decision-making. All this adds up to being mission-ready, and mission-focused.
To this end, I am happy the necessary preparation, shaping and planning have already commenced as over the past few years, we have expanded our presence across air, land, sea, and cyberspace domains.
We are upgrading our operational capability and infrastructure to defend a nation whose global profile is rising – a Guyana that is no longer just rich in promise, but one that is now commandeering its own potential to the point of realisation.
While our partnerships continue to strengthen our readiness, from the acquisition of naval vessels and aerial assets to the deepening of regional and international cooperation, our greatest investments remain our people – the soldiers who wake before dawn, ready again to renew allegiance, and see our flag raised, and the pilot who cuts through the clouds in the early morning skies on border missions, and the engineer who rebuilds after the storms, giving hope to so many here and afar.
Commander-in-Chief, our Force, your Force, the Guyana Defence Force, is truly a national platform for breeding patriots. We are here to serve our people, and serve, we must.
And so, dear patriots, let this 60th anniversary ignite in us a renewed sense of purpose.
Let it remind us that every act of service,
every mission completed, and every standard upheld contributes to something greater; the safety, stability, and sovereignty of Guyana.
To every officer and rank, to our veterans, and to our partners, thank you for your steadfast service and loyalty.
Together, we will continue to build a Force that defends our nation and inspires our people.
May the spirit of duty, discipline, and devotion continue to guide us forward.
Happy 60th anniversary to all of us.
Happy 60th anniversary of the Guyana Defence Force!
May we serve always with pride, honour, and unwavering patriotism.
I thank you.
Allow me to proceed with my second important task for this morning, introducing our next speaker.
All that I have said earlier was shaped by the vision and leadership of our distinguished President and Commander-in-Chief, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali.
Since taking office in August of 2020, our Commander-in-Chief has been relentless in his pursuit to design and develop a blueprint for national development and security.
His Excellency has not only spoken about development — he has driven it; he has not only called for modernisation — he has funded, supported, and led it.
Under his stewardship, our nation stands taller, our people dream bolder, and our Force grows stronger.
He is a leader who believes that security and development are not opposing paths, but parallel pillars — both essential to building a Guyana that is prosperous, united, and sovereign.
His stern confidence in the men and women of the Guyana Defence Force is not just a statement of trust — it is a reflection of his belief in our shared mission to protect the peace and preserve the promise of this great land.
Today, as we celebrate sixty years of service, it is an honour to invite to the podium a leader who has visited troops on the frontlines, had deep conversations with them. He is one who embodies courage, conviction, and commitment — a son of the soil whose vision propels us forward and whose leadership continues to inspire every rank within our Force.
Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in warmly welcoming His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as he delivers the feature address.
