Beaton, Shahoud, Welcome, Khan laid to rest

-President Ali attends funeral services, gives moving tributes

By Naomi Parris and Shamar Meusa

HUNDREDS of Guyanese on Friday gathered at the Promenade Gardens in Georgetown to pay their final respects to four of the five longstanding servicemen who died in last week’s horrific helicopter crash.

Separate funeral services were held for Brigadier Gary Beaton, Project Engineer, GOG; Colonel Michael Shahoud, Commander of First Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome and Staff Sergeant Jason Khan of the 31 Special Forces Squadron. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, the fifth serviceman who perished, was laid to rest on Wednesday.

Heartfelt tributes poured in for the men, who were hailed as true patriots.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali attended all four funeral services where he gave a snippet of their life and service to the nation while speaking highly them.

“Brigadier Beaton did everything with class,” President Ali said adding: “He raised above every challenge. He didn’t allow any circumstance to dictate his behaviour, his attitude or his service. He rose about every single challenge and that is worth celebrating.”

Noting that he was “very pleased” that one of the first things he got to do as commander-in-chief, was to promote Beaton to brigadier, President Ali said that he was selfless and conducted himself in an exemplary manner.

“He didn’t allow any circumstance to dictate his behaviour, his attitude, or his service; he rose above every single challenge and that is worth celebrating. That is an example of how we should conduct ourselves,” he added.

As he continued to reflect on the life of Brigadier Beaton, the Head-of-State said that Beaton lived his life in an exemplary manner that others should mirror.

During his more than three-decade military career, Brigadier Beaton received the Border Defence, Military Efficiency, 25th, 40th, and 50th-anniversary Medals and Military Service Medal.

While he was remembered for his military achievements, close family members and friends described him as a family man who cherished those he loved.

‘A SYMBOL OF NATIONHOOD’

Meanwhile in remembering Colonel Shahoud, President Ali in brief remarks described him as a military all-rounder who was extremely versatile.

“Mike was a tower of strength, a sense of confidence, a symbol of nationhood; Mike was a symbol of nationhood,” he said adding:
“Mike never said no. Mike’s favourite line was, ‘Sir I will make it happen’. With whatever resources that was available to him he made it happen.”

Colonel Shahoud was known to take on a wide range of responsibilities as he was a highly-trained member of the elite squadron of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Joining the army back in 1996, Colonel Shahoud excelled in every task given to him. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1997.

His diverse roles in the army ranged from Principal Instructor, to Commanding Officer at the Colonel Robert Mitchell Jungle and Amphibious Training School at Makouria.

His leadership journey continued with commanding roles in the two Infantry Battalion, Coast Guard and the First Infantry Battalion.

VISIONARY STRATEGIST

Lieutenant Colonel Welcome was remembered as a ‘visionary strategist’ who embodied all the great qualities of a serviceman.

“He was a role model for young soldiers and subordinate officers. His vast operational experience and steadfast commitment to discipline earned him the respect and admiration of his peers,” President Ali said.

He placed a high premium on education and served as an expert in many fields, especially in emergency response.

“His expertise in search and rescue missions was one of the reasons why he served with distinction within the Civil Defence Commission (CDC). He helped to build the capacity and capability of the CDC to respond to civil disasters,” he informed the large gathering of mourners.

The president noted that Welcome had visions to transform the GDF.

Further, Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, in brief remarks said: “Sean Welcome as an officer was the epitome of what loyalty, integrity, competence, efficiency and service to country all represents…we will continue to remember him as a true patriot.”

Welcome enlisted in the army in 1997, and because of his commitment to the job, he was able to move up the ranks.

In 2007, he concluded full time military service but returned in 2018 as a reserve officer.

Welcome, while holding many successes in the military was an academic. He held a Bachelor of Science in Communications Studies from the University of Guyana and had recently completed his Master’s programme in Strategic Development Studies also from the University of Guyana.

Welcome was also remembered as an extraordinary family man.

“He always did his best to make others happy. He acted as the big brother of the household even though he wasn’t the eldest,” Welcome’s brother, James Tappin said.

Tappin recalled fond memories of his brother, sharing how Welcome always did his best to protect his family unit.

‘NO ORDINARY SOLIDER’

During the fourth and final funeral service, Warrant Officer Class II, Jason Khan was hailed as “No ordinary soldier” by President Ali.

In his address, he said that while the loss of a good, young person is undoubtedly painful for those left behind, faith teaches that the creator’s plans are not easily understood.

Against this backdrop the Head-of-State noted, “Khan was no ordinary soldier. Khan was the Guyanese version of Rambo. He was as Prime Minister Mark Phillips observed, among the best of best of our country’s armed force; so young, so full of potential.”

Added to this, he indicated that the 36-year-old was among the elite league that belonged to the special forces and was also a paratrooper, platoon commander and trained commando.

President Ali further stated that if one were to look at Khan, one would underestimate the physical strength that he possessed, noting that he proved that when it came to military skills, he was sublime and superb.

“Jason Khan was a son of Guyana. His love for Guyana was limitless, he was on a mission to protect Guyana when he died. When the modern history of Guyana is written, Jason Khan will find acknowledgement for the role he played in helping to safeguard our homeland,” President Ali expressed.

His family described him as a loyal soldier, outstanding husband, father and brother and they noted that they would choose to celebrate him for all that he was before his death.

Khan’s mother, Bernadette Bovell Khan in a heartfelt poem about her son, said that though grieving she knows that he is in a better place.

She too noted that she knows he lived a life of service dedicated to what he loved doing best.

“He lived a life to serve and he gave all for his country of birth. My soldier, my son, your work on earth is done but the memories I carry will forever live on,” she expressed.

According to the Chief of Staff, Jason ascended through the ranks from Private to Staff Sargeant earning each promotion through hard work and discipline.

He added that he deserved his promotion to Warrant Officer Class II which was bestowed upon him posthumously. Further to this, it was stated that his contributions to the force were noteworthy.

Khan, who enlisted in the force in 2005, served in various capacities and received numerous accolades while continuously investing in his professional growth.

The five servicemen were part of a seven-man team on a mission to visit troops at the country’s Western border.

Military presence had been multiplied at that location due to Venezuela’s escalated aggression in the ongoing border controversy with Guyana.