The first of the BDF four has been buried. He is Corporal Yassir Mendez, from Douglas village. On Thursday morning at 2:00, he flew out of Price Barracks with two Majors - the most senior pilots in the airwing - and one other corporal. They were part a successful narco plane bust, but a few hours later, all four were dead, at the bottom of the Western Lagoon - and no one knew. The Huey chopper they were in had taken a nose dive into the Lagoon, just north of Gales Point Manatee in the Belize District. Their bodies would not be found until more than 24 hours later.
It is the worst mass fatality in the BDF's history, and this is a sombre week of funerals amidst so many unanswered questions. The services started this morning in Douglas, in Orange Walk North. Cherisse Halsall reports:...
Today a solemn guard lined up outside the Lady of Fatima RC Church in Douglas Village.
They were there to send on 28 year old Corporal Yassir Mendez, a village boy who showed great promise as a soldier.
His father, retired Sergeant Major Marcello Mendez is the one who urged his son to join the BDF:
Sgt. Mjr. Marcello Mendez (Ret'd.), Yassir's Father
"It's me who introduce that man to go into the BDF, because when I retired he had just passed out about 10 years ago. Now, I am retired as sergeant major and then he went. I told him there are many opportunities there and he always excel; going to the United States, going to England, Jamaica - he always come with first prizes. It's just sorry to me that all those degrees that he got it worth nothing."
Inside the church his commander was solemn, but he was fondly remembered by his Airwing colleagues:
Captain Kenroy Smith, BDF Airwing
"Corporal Mendez contributed significantly to the development of the helicopter program at the Belize Defence Force Airwing. He gave generously his time, his expertise, his knowledge and skills."
Minister of State for National security Elodio Aragon, Area Rep Gaspar Vega, and the former Minister of National Security attended.
As well as police and foreign military. Force Chaplain Mark Logue was the celebrant.
Lt. Mark Logue, Force Padre
"That's why we are all here today to support the family."
When the service was finished - and the coffin made its grim procession to the burial site, it was his father who stood at the front, while his brother soldiers made that last march with him carting the flag draped coffin to the grave and lowering the body into the vault.
Followed by a gun salute.
His wife, Gauadalupe could barely hold up as she carried the wreath the weight of grief too great for the last goodbye to her husband, the man with whom she shared two children.
Now she must remember him by this flag - a memory of his service, and of his last ill fated mission.
As you heard, the 28 year old Corporal Mendez was the father of two children.
His is the first of four funerals this week. Tomorrow, Cpl Choco will have his funeral in his home of Big Falls. And, on Thursday a service will be held for Major Ramirez, at Corozal Anglican and on Friday Major Baizar's funeral will be held at St John's Cathedral.
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