By Clestine Juan
HUNDREDS of people crammed the playfield of the army headquarters at Camp Ayanganna on Vlissengen Road yesterday afternoon, while hundreds more positioned themselves at every conceivable vantage point within the contiguous area to witness the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) annual Military Tattoo exercise, which constituted part of the Force’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

The highlight of proceedings was when several parachutists dropped from a Britten Norman Islander aircraft flying 7,000 feet overhead in an awe-inspiring display of sky-diving, which elicited several oohs and aahs from the large, appreciative crowd.
Other very enjoyable events were a martial arts display featuring the Wu Shu style Martial Arts moves executed by recruits; drills display; renditions from the GDF military band; precision, or “silent” drills; a simulated battle involving assault and rescue; and fireworks, which brought an end to the programme.
“Tattoo” is the traditional signal given originally by drumbeat and latterly by bugle call. This signal is intended to warn soldiers to

return to their quarters for the night. In garrison towns, innkeepers turned off the liquor taps and the drum continued to beat for half an hour, the time allowed for the soldiers to find their way home. The custom eventually developed into a ceremonial performance of military music by massed bands a few hours after sunset.
After the First World War, the ceremony of Tattoo was developed to include the military displays with which the name is now associated, but which, apart from the music, have no connection with the original function of the ceremony.
A military Tattoo was first held at Eve Leary in 1920 by the British Guiana Militia. The performance included personnel from the Infantry, Artillery and school children. The second Tattoo was held in 1963 on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of the British Guiana Volunteer Force.
The tradition of hosting military Tattoos was continued by the Guyana Defence Force, and in 1972, a tattoo was organised as part of the anniversary celebrations.
Other Tattoos were successfully held by the army on the following occasions: 20th Anniversary in 1985; 30th Anniversary in 1995; 40th Anniversary in 2005; 45th Anniversary in 2010. All of these events were held on the playfield at Camp Ayanganna.