Slain soldier laid to rest in West Berbice
By Johann Earle
Stabroek News
May 24, 2003
Hundreds turned out yesterday at the Paradise, West Berbice funeral of slain Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Lance Corporal Shemton Dodson, the first soldier to be killed in the army's operations in Buxton.
Dodson, 24, was killed on May 15 when his patrol came under fire from gunmen as it went to search a house in Buxton for kidnapped businessman, Viticharran Singh.
Dodson's body arrived at the family residence at around 1.15 pm and was displayed for viewing. From there the military cortege made its way along the public road to the St Albans Anglican Church in Belladrum where the funeral ceremony was held. The procession, made up of various ranks of the military, marched slowly to a funeral dirge played by the GDF band.
The service began at 3 pm and the congregation spilled out in to the churchyard.
Prime Minister Sam Hinds, in delivering a tribute on behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bharrat Jagdeo, extended his condolences to the family: "I share your grief at this time. Nothing that any of us can say here today will be able to compensate for his absence from your lives." He called Dodson "a fine son of the army, a brave and courageous soldier who laid down his life in the service of the people of this country." For this, he added, the nation honoured the soldier who, in giving his life helped to save another. Hinds, who had earlier visited the family's home to view the body, said amid this crime wave, Dodson's example in choosing his station in life and being loyal to duty stood as a beacon of hope for the nation.
Other tributes recalled that Dodson had joined the army on September 17, 1996 and had gone through a series of training stints in the use of artillery. "His attitude towards work never failed to win the admiration of his superiors. His conduct was nothing short of excellence. He was a gentleman, as well mannered as they come," one officer noted. He said Dodson's death was the unfortunate price paid for the restoration of peace and unity in Guyana.
PNCR leader Robert Corbin took to the podium amidst loud cheers and in delivering his tribute, stated that Dodson had chosen his career which made the eventuality of death a daily burden. "What can we say to a mother who has lost a son?.. On behalf of the PNCR, I would like to convey deepest sympathies to the relatives of this valiant son of the soil."
Following the funeral service, the soldier's body was entombed in the church's cemetery and the traditional gun salute echoed crisply around the grounds.
Dodson, who was known as 'Ponin' to his family, attended the Belladrum Primary School and later the Belladrum Community High School. His hobbies included playing football and listening to music. He leaves to mourn his mother Joyce Dodson, reputed wife Beverley, children Jamal aged five, and Wonika aged four.
Others attending the funeral were Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, Chief-of-Staff Brigadier Michael Atherly, Minister of Home Affairs, Ronald Gajraj and other senior officials of the Guyana Police Force and the GDF.
