Army Chief of Staff Commodore Gary Best and Colonel General Staff Bruce Lovell were on July 11 conferred with the Gold Medal of National Defence and the Silver Medal of National Defence respectively, from the French Armed Forces.
France’s outgoing non-resident military attaché, Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Kopecky, decorated the officers with the medals on behalf of his country’s defence minister, Gerard Longuet.
Colonel Lovell is being congratulated by outgoing French Military Attaché Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Kopecky, while Commodore Best looks on
The medal has three levels: gold, silver and bronze, and is awarded to active military personnel or reserves who are distinguished by the quality of services rendered, or to French civilians and foreign military or civilians who have rendered honourable service, particularly for the defence of France, the GDF said in a release.
In brief remarks, Commodore Best acknowledged that the Guyana Defence Force and the French Armed Forces have kept traditional ties strong, and continue to enjoy fruitful relations and cooperation in several areas.
Commodore Best utilised the occasion to present to Lieutenant Colonel Kopecky this country’s third highest military award, the Military Efficiency Medal, for his efforts in continuously promoting and fostering the highest standards of cooperation in several areas between the two militaries.
His outstanding leadership qualities during his tenure were also noted. Lieutenant Colonel Kopecky’s three-year tour of duty as non- resident military attaché to Guyana and Suriname concludes on July 15.
