Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Commodore Gary Best yesterday charged the Women’s Army Corps to lift standards as the corps celebrated its 46th anniversary with a thanksgiving service at the auditorium, at Base Camp Ayanganna.
Addressing the over 200 women soldiers and guests in attendance, Best offered his interpretation of woman. “The ‘W’ in “woman” should mean Wisdom, the ‘O’ should mean Obedience, the ‘M’ should mean Majesty, the ‘A’ should mean Ambition and the ‘N’ should mean Naturalness,” he stated.
“Women are important to men for the continuation of life… They are companions to us men whom we can’t live without,” the chief-of-staff added.
However, Best said, for the last four years, the women of GDF have lowered their standard from what it was in the early years. “I remember the days when the women of GDF took excellent pride in the uniforms they wore; the standard of dressing for women has fallen drastically,” he lamented.
He also made mention of the poor sanitation of their surroundings and theft among colleagues which has been a constant complaint. “The surroundings of the female dormitory are unkempt and this must not continue…,” Best urged.
Yesterday’s event saw a number of items which included poems and songs, performed by the women of GDF. Hymns and scripture reading were also a part of the proceedings.
The service commenced early with the arrival of the chief of staff, along with the colour party of the GDF (all women) who marched in slow time, presenting the flag to the Force Chaplain who then placed it on the altar.
To conclude the event, a lengthy sermon by Elder Angela Massiah spoke about “Gems” and the importance of being close to God.
