GUYANESE on Wednesday midnight stood mesmerised as they watched the 50-foot Golden Arrowhead sway overhead in all its glory, while the National Anthem played at D’urban Park, Georgetown.It was the ceremonial military parade and hoisting of the national flag to usher in Guyana’s 47th Republic Anniversary.

Fireworks cascaded beneath the dark skies and loud, but pleasant applause resonated with every burst, and every superb move of the military men and women in the marching band.

The moment would be an unforgettable one for the children and adults, who were born to sing and made up the specially ‘mixed choir’ performing five of Guyana’s songs – Song of Guyana’s Children, My Native Land, A Song of Hope, Hymn for Guyana’s children and Let us Cooperate – and conducted by Katusha Fraser, as the fingers of Andrea Mentore skillfully romanced the keyboard.

Members of school choirs from Region Four, selected from Bladen Hall Secondary, Central High School, St. Joseph’s High, St. Stanislaus College and Brickdam Secondary blended their voices with the veterans of Woodside and the Joint Services and released a united sound.

The atmosphere was prepared for the night’s event as patrons relaxed and listened to the music of the National Steel Orchestra.

“Music is one of the pillars of our culture, we sing to tell our stories, we sing to celebrate our history, we sing to inspire generations to come,” the ceremony’s Compere, Michela Abraham-Ali remarked.

The unfolding of events was lovely and it was one of those occasional opportunities where all in attendance felt a deep sense of pride.

DELIGHT
That evident pride penetrated the atmosphere, even stronger with the arrival of Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita Nagamootoo, followed promptly by Guyana’s first citizen, President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger. The crowd screamed in delight.

President Granger was formally suited in all black, while First Lady wore black skirt and a jacket in black and shimmering gold.

The President and Prime Minister each received salute of honour from the military, as is customary at such events, accompanied by Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Youth, Sport and Culture, Nicolette Henry.

Several Government ministers and international dignitaries were also in attendance.

The fleet of uniformed military officers, whose uniforms were dominated by white, formed an awesome band and marched in beautiful fashion to the amusement of the home crowd.

The classic parade of the Joint Services was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel, Captain Raul Jerrick, who is the commanding officer of the Second Infantry Battalion within the GDF.

The parade’s second-in-command was Major James Fraser, commanding officer of the Agriculture Corps, and Captain Andre Williams, service officer of Base Camp Stephenson.

The soldiers synchronised march was done through four taskforces, the first comprising ranks of Base Camp Stephenson commanded by Major Ron Caulder, with detachment Sergeant Major being Warrant Officer, Troy Gaskin.

The second band of the parade saw the Women’s Army Corps marching under the command of Major Christine Bradford-Porter with sergeant major being Warrant Officer, Carlyn Dover.

The third featured ranks from the Guyana People’s Militia under the command of Major Eon Murray. The sergeant major was Warrant Officer, Tyron Goodridge.
The fourth group was the Coast Guard under the command of Lieutenant Coast Guard, Wayne Richmond with detachment sergeant major being Fleet Chief, Marlon Daniels.

Lieutenant Orandi Francois and Warrant Officer, Andre Worrel (Colour Custodian) made up the colour party, with their escorts being Staff Sergeants, Eon Winter and Omawalie Sibdhannie. Warrant Officer for the parade was Force Sergeant- Major, William Richmond.

As the marching bands cleared the tarmac, it was time for calypso. Calypso and chutney are among the highlights of the Republic Anniversary celebrations, and this year, Diana Chapman walked away with the Senior Calypso Monarch crown with her song ‘Put your house in order’.

BOLD
Decked in her green and gold costume, in which she was dressed when she took the crown, Chapman maneuvered in fine fashion and boldly signaled President Granger to put his coalition Government in order.

Second place Junior Calypso winner in a cool manner sang his lyrics titled ‘The 2017 Budget,’ which related favourably and unfavourably of the budget.

While newly-crowned Chutney Monarch, Paramdai ‘Vanita’ Willie, looked beautiful in a purple design, she shouted in the midst of her performance “Where is my music. I cyan hear my music.”

The audience had a clear sound of the rhythm, which was being played through the stereo sound, but it was somehow difficult for her to get the sound she was hoping for.

However, the problem was fixed and she continued her performance of her winning song “Poowah”.

A band from the Chinese Association in Guyana performed a cheerful dragon dance to the skillful beating of the Chinese tanggu drum.

And just before the highlight of the ceremony, the National Dance Company performed a ‘mass dance’ called ‘glimpses’, awakening memories of ‘Mass Games’, one of the most beautiful of cultural celebrations ever held in Guyana.
As dancers grouped and spaced to occupy a large part of the tarmac, some like angels dressed in white ceased not to wave flags in sweet choreography, in shades of red, black, gold, white or green.

They danced to different songs reflective of social cohesion.

At 15 minutes before the 12:00th hour (midnight), the Joint Services Band performed another amazing parade. It was time for the evening’s highlight, the historic hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead.

“Our republican status has given us an identity, a national personality. As Guyanese republicans we became equal with all other nationalities in the world,” the Compere pointed out, as GDF Lieutenant, Kaya Dover hoisted the flag, assisted by Warrant Officer, Sherlock Rigby.