By Svetlana Marshall
Remembered as a true Guyanese legend, a man of valour, and impeccable character, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles was today given a hero send off as hundreds of Guyanese gathered at various points to pay their last respects.
Mike Charles, as he was fondly called by friends, was among five Servicemen who lost their lives in a horrific helicopter crash while traveling from Olive Creek to Arau in Region Seven last Wednesday. Charles was the Commanding Pilot.
Today, his casket was draped with the Golden Arrowhead as he was given a military funeral. He was remembered as an extraordinary pilot. The casket bearing his remains was flown from Timehri, where his funeral service was held, to the Promenade Gardens where hundreds of family members, friends, members of the Disciplined Services and public officials gathered to pay tribute to his impeccable life.
At Timehri, President Irfaan Ali remembered Lieutenant Colonel Charles as a true Guyanese patriot and lefend. He was no ordinary man, the President said.
“Michael Charles was an extraordinary individual. He did ordinary things in extraordinary ways due to his commitment to duty, and his great love for people and his country,” President Ali said while describing Lieutenant Colonel Charles as a brother.
Like many Guyanese, the President said he marvelled at the spectacular images of Guyana captured and shared by Lieutenant Colonel Charles during his more than 40 years as a pilot in the army. He recorded video and documented photographs of his many travels across Guyana.
“I admired his commitment to duty but most of all, I was touched by his great love for humanity, and for the country, in which both, he and I were born,” the President said.
Former Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, retired Rear Admiral Gary Best, remembered Lieutenant Colonel Charles as a true son of the soil and patriot, who served his country to the very end.
“Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, famously called Mike Charles, was an officer of impeccable character and standard. His was a service that saw no boundaries. His was a service that saw no end. Mike will always be ready for any mission, in every mission. But in that readiness, he always said I’m not perfect,” Rear Admiral Best said.
He said Lieutenant Colonel Charles was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with his fellow servicemen and Guyanese, and had pushed for the modernization of the Guyana Defence Force’s Air Corps, while emphasizing the importance of safety.
“In essence, he was a good man. A man of valour, a man of substance and a man of standards,” Rear Admiral Best said.
Lieutenant Colonel Charles was 61-years-old.
He provided 40 years of exemplary and devoted service to the Guyana Defence Force, navigating the skies above Guyana’s extensive hinterland and borders.
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