Heartfelt messages of condolences have been pouring in as all of Guyana mourn the loss of five of our finest and heroic men in military uniform who tragically lost their lives in a helicopter crash in the dense jungle of Guyana. Following are just a few of those messages of condolences:
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗛𝗶𝘀 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗶𝗻-𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗶
“My heart pains and drowns in sorrow at the tragic loss of some of our finest men in uniform. The scale of this loss to the families, our country, the GDF and to me personally is immeasurable. My trusted friends and comrades, my brothers how could this be?
You loved your country above and beyond everything. Country and service were all that matter to you. I observe with so much honor, the pride you took in putting on your uniform. We became a family bonded in service and brotherhood. I have experienced the love of all of you and it is ripping me apart.
My brothers, I embrace your families as mine and will do as much as I can to represent all of you in service to country and family. On kneeling knees, I lift all of you and your families up in prayers and faith.
I call upon all of us to hold these men, their families, the GDF and our country in our prayers. Rest in Peace my trusted friends. So many plans we had together. How could this be?
Rest in eternal peace Brigadier Gary Beaton- Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud- Commander 1st Infantry Battalion; Lt Col Michael Charles- Pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome- Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan- 31 Special Forces Squadron you were among the finest we will ever have I wish I was waiting for all of you to come home. With all my love until we meet again”
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐏𝐏 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭 𝐉𝐚𝐠𝐝𝐞𝐨
It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that I extend my sincere condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of the five brave Guyana Defence Force soldiers who tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash on December 6, 2023.
During this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you navigate the pain and sorrow that comes with the loss of your loved ones. The sacrifice and dedication of Brigadier Gary Beaton- Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud- Commander 1st Infantry Battalion; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles- Pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome- Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan- 31 Special Forces Squadron, to the service of their country will forever be remembered and honored.
May you find strength in the cherished memories you shared with your loved ones and in the knowledge that their commitment to duty has left an indelible mark on the nation. We share in your grief and stand united in offering support and solidarity during this trying period.
In honoring the memory of these valiant soldiers, let us also acknowledge the selflessness and bravery they displayed in the line of duty. Their service to Guyana will be remembered as a testament to their unwavering commitment to the principles of duty, honour, and sacrifice.
As you mourn the loss of these heroes, please know that you are not alone. The entire nation joins hands in expressing our deepest sympathies, and we are here to offer any assistance and support that may bring comfort in this challenging time.
May the souls of the departed soldiers rest in eternal peace, and may you find solace in the collective embrace of a grateful nation.
I want to extend my heartfelt wishes for the swift and complete recovery of the two surviving soldiers – Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford and Corporal, Dwayne Jackson – who endured this harrowing incident. Their strength and resilience in the face of adversity are a testament to their courage and commitment.
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫, 𝐇𝐨𝐧. 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐫 (𝐑𝐞𝐭’𝐝) 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬
I extend my deepest condolences to the families and friends of the fallen soldiers, as well as the Guyana Defence Force on the loss of their comrades, offering my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
As a nation, our hearts are heavy with grief upon learning about the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of five brave soldiers – of Brigadier Gary Beaton- Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud- Commander 1st Infantry Battalion; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles- Pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome- Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion; and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan- 31 Special Forces Squadron – on December 6, 2023.
To Lieutenant Andio Michael Crawford and Corporal, Dwayne Jackson, I extend my fervent wishes for your swift and complete recovery, and express sincere sympathy for the loss of your comrades and friends. I assure you the courage and dedication of these soldiers will be remembered with the utmost respect and gratitude.
In the wake of the devastating news, I also extend condolences to the Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, and the entire Guyana Defence Force community. As we mourn this tragic loss, we stand in solidarity with the GDF, sharing in the pain of their grief. Our thoughts are with the leadership and colleagues of the fallen soldiers during this incredibly difficult time. May the Guyana Defence Force find strength, unity, and solace in the memories of these heroes, and may their legacy endure as a symbol of valor within the force.
May the memories of the fallen soldiers be a source of strength and inspiration as we navigate through this profound sorrow.
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Clifton Hicken, on behalf of all Officers, Inspectors, and other ranks of the Guyana Police Force, express sincerest condolences on the tragic loss of lives of five patriotic Guyanese, namely:
Brigadier Gary Beaton – Project Engineer, GoG; Colonel Michael Shahoud – Commander 1st Infantry Battalion; Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles – Pilot; Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome; Commanding Officer Reserve Battalion and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan – 31 Special Forces Squadron.
On behalf of my family, the entire Guyana Police Force, the Joint Services and all of Guyana, we extend condolences to the families and friends of these heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country and our citizens.
