Photo By Capt. Mark Lazane | The Armed Forces of Liberia marching band leads a pass and review march during the...... read more read more
Editors note: This is one article in a series highlighting Liberia’s 55th annual Armed Forces Day events.
MONROVIA, Liberia - The Armed Forces of Liberia entertained a large audience of citizens and dignitaries with a parade and military skills demonstration to celebrate their 55th annual Armed Forces Day at Barclay Training Center in downtown Monrovia, Feb. 11.
The gathered crowd was treated to several military skills demonstrations, a pass and review of the troops and speeches from government leaders, including the keynote speaker, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the outgoing U.S. ambassador to Liberia.
Following Thomas-Greenfield’s remarks, the outgoing United States ambassador to Liberia was awarded the decoration of Distinguished Service Order by the Liberian president for her dedication to duty and excellent services rendered to the government of Liberia through the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Similar honors were awarded to two other U.S. Embassy personnel in Monrovia. They are U.S. Army Col. Sue Ann Sandusky, senior defense attaché to the U.S. Embassy Monrovia and U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Jennifer Ketchum, maritime adviser.
The events of the day marked the conclusion of a week-long celebration of Armed Forces Day, which included a street cleanup and medical outreach, church services, an intra-AFL soccer match, a symposium regarding the AFL and a military ball.
Other dignitaries who attended the event included President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Maj. Gen. Charles Hooper, director, J5, Strategic Planning and Policy, United States Africa Command, Maj. Gen. Suraj Alao Abdurrahman, Armed Forces of Liberia command officer in charge, Brig. Gen. Charles Chiarotti, deputy commander, U.S. Marine Forces Europe and Africa, as well as several prominent Liberian government and community leaders.
“As we look back over the past six years, and especially over the past 12 months, we all can feel a sense of accomplishment,” Thomas-Greenfield said. “I say ‘we all’ because the United States government has been here beside you, most visibly with the presence of approximately 50 U.S military mentors, known as Operation Onward Liberty. We’re all helping Liberia beat the odds. We’re committed to helping the AFL accomplish their mission so that Liberia doesn’t slip back into conflict and instead becomes the force Pres. Sirleaf called for and the citizens of Liberia long for.”
Operation Onward Liberty is a group of approximately 50 U.S. military personnel who mentor and advise the AFL in order to develop a national military that is responsible, operationally capable, respectful of civilian authority and the rule of law, and is a force for good among the Liberian people.
In addition to Operation Onward Liberty, the AFL is trained by representatives from the United Nations Mission in Liberia, the Economic Community of West African states and other international partners.
Training of the AFL is paramount to its long-term success, said Thomas-Greenfield.
“I’ve heard [AFL COIC] Maj. Gen. Abdurrahman, say many, many times that nothing is better for the welfare of the soldier than training” she said. “Training is what militaries due in peacetime. They train to prepare for their next operation, their next contingency. We saw that with the groups that demonstrated in front of us today. Here in Liberia, the AFL needs resources for training assistance.”
To help ensure future training, Thomas-Greenfield introduced a U.S.-backed program to continue to develop much-needed engineering capabilities within the AFL.
The money will be used to buy some engineering equipment but more importantly, will fund a significant engineer training program, she said.
The engineer capability will then be used to not only support the AFL, but also fix many of the infrastructure concerns that exist throughout the country, said Thomas-Greenfield.
“Young men and women of the AFL, your professionalism, your sacrifice, your hard work today will pay dividends for Liberia’s peace and security tomorrow,” she said. “As the trailblazers that you are, you are establishing a pattern of what forces for good will mean to the next generation of AFL and to the people of your country. The men and women of the AFL are men and women of good moral character, men and women of courage and integrity. They are a tremendous resource that can, will, must play a strong role in the aiding and long term development of Liberia by leading lives driven by duty, honor, pride and country, in the military but also as leaders in civilian life.”
Sirleaf, in her role as commander in chief, also addressed the gathered service members.
“From the humble beginnings of 106 new Army basic training graduates in 2006, we have restructured and trained a military of roughly 2000 who are today serving under the 23rd Infantry Brigade and our Liberian Coast Guard,” Sirleaf said. “We extend our gratitude to all of our partners who have and continue to provide training opportunities for personnel in our armed forces. It is our hope that these training opportunities will continue and remain strategic in the professional development of the men and women of our armed forces.”
The training opportunities mentioned by Sirleaf include nearly 300 military officers and non-commissioned officers who have traveled outside of Liberia to attend training courses in Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Germany, the People’s Republic of China, and the United States, among other locations.
These service members come back to Liberia as capable professionals who have gained increased training and understanding of military doctrine and operations, she said.
Sirleaf also called upon the legislature to work with her to grow the military and develop infrastructure to better care for soldiers and their families.
“As we look ahead, we can say that the foundation has been laid for future benefits for members of our armed forces,” Sirleaf said.” Greater emphasis will continue to be placed on the welfare of our military personnel and their families. Our soldiers need to live in decent housing environments, their dependents need to attend school and have recreational facilities in which to socialize. I ensure you of our commitment to improve this situation.”
Sirleaf ended her remarks by thanking the soldiers, Coast Guardsmen and veterans in attendance.
“It is my honor and I am humbled to serve as commander in chief and to all soldiers and officers who have served this country diligently: we salute you for your service and we honor you for your sacrifice,” Sirleaf said. “Fellow Liberians: the face of our new AFL is full of hope for our future. Six years ago, our focus was on restoration and reform. Today, our focus is on long term security and economic development. Let us proceed with greater vigor and determination to develop Liberia. My strong commendation, my salute goes to the gallant men and women of Liberia; happy Armed Forces Day.”
| Date Taken: | 02.28.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2012 04:41 |
| Story ID: | 84422 |
| Location: | MONROVIA, LR |
| Web Views: | 832 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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