Servicemen honoured for outstanding service and border defence

President David Granger, on Thursday, presented medals to 120 servicemen of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) at a Medal Presentation Parade, held at the D’urban Park.

Braving the heavy rainfall, President Granger presented 60 members of the GDF with the Military Efficiency Medal and the Border Defence Medal, while 60 members of the GPF were presented with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and the Border Defence Medal.

The Military Efficiency Medal is awarded to serving members of the GDF, who would have completed 10 years of continuous service with good conduct, and are approved by the Chief of Staff, following recommendations by the Medal Awards Committee.

President Granger receives the Presidential Salute from the officers of the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force.

On the obverse of the Medal is the Cacique’s Crown (an Amerindian head dress) in the centre, which is encircled by the inscription of Guyana’s motto, ”One People, One Nation, One Destiny Guyana” while the reverse has two crossed swords and the words ‘Military Efficiency Medal’ inscribed.

The Border Defence Medal is awarded to serving members of the army and the police force, who would have had cumulative service on a Border location in excess of one year, and are approved by the Chief of Staff and Commissioner of Police, following recommendations by the Medal Awards Committee.

On the obverse of that Medal is the Cacique’s Crown in the centre, which is encircled also by an inscription, of Guyana’s national motto. On the reverse, there is a circular image of Mount Ayanganna on which is planted the Golden Arrowhead, while at the base of the Mount Ayanganna are bushes and water.

A serviceman from the Guyana Defence Force stands tall as President David Granger presents him with a medal.

The Long Service and Good Conduct medal is awarded to serving members of the Disciplined Services, who have accumulated 15 years of continuous service with good conduct, and are approved by the Commissioner of Police, also following recommendations by the Medal Awards Committee.

On the obverse of the Medal is the Cacique’s Crown in the centre, and is similarly inscribed with Guyana’s national motto, as are the Military Efficiency and Border Defence medals. On the reverse there is a key, a baton and an axe and the words ”For Long Service and Good Conduct” inscribed.

The Medals are all made of nickel, are circular in shape and measure 35 millimetres in diameter.

Among those in attendance at the event were Prime Minister, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sita Nagamootoo, First lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger, Minister of State, Mr. Joseph Harmon, Minister of Public Security, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Minister of Social Cohesion, Ms. Amna Ally, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Noel Holder and Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Ms. Annette Ferguson as well as numerous representatives of the diplomatic corps. (MOTP)