“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” -Benjamin Disraeli 

An entire nation has been in mourning at the confirmation that four soldiers of the Belize Defence Force died in a helicopter “crash” on the 27th of February, 2020. Maj. Adran Ramirez; Maj. Radford Baizar; Cpl. Reynaldo Choco; and Cpl. Yassir Mendez met their tragic deaths in the shallow, cold waters of Western Lagoon off the Coastal Road, in the Belize District.

The saga of what resulted in the announcement of their untimely death, more than twenty-four hours after their passing, is one for which the final script is yet to be written. And I say yet to be written because, the series of events that unfolded just hours before and after 4:00 a.m. on the 27th February, 2020 that led to the death of these four young, outstanding family men is being “investigated”.

Who are these heroes?

I got to personally know Cpl. Adran Ramirez some twelve years ago, and even attended his wedding to his lovely wife, Alys. One thing about him is that he is larger than life and his presence and energy radiates once he enters a room. He was absolutely friendly and outgoing to the point of making any and everyone feel welcome and comfortable. A gentleman of great respect, and a man who loved with a passion what he did as his career … That is how I remember him.

And listening to so many others comment, I know that is how many others remember Maj. Ramirez. I even read a Facebook post of a man whose life he saved by being a first responder and staying with him to ensure he remained conscious for the 45 minutes it took the ambulance to get to the scene. For those who do not know, Maj. Ramirez was not only a pilot, but he was the Commander of the Air Wing, a promotion he recently received.

He was also very much involved in mixed martial arts and has been a MMA Champ. This stems from his childhood days of being a karate student, per the stories of his father Mario Ramirez, who at age 84 is mourning the loss of his beloved son.

Now, while I may not have had the same level of interaction with Maj. Baizar, Cpl. Mendez and Cpl. Choco, I hear no less positive comments about their sterling characters and like commitment and dedication to their work and family.

Maj. Baizar was a decorated pilot and also a flight instructor, one of the few this country has ever seen. Imagine, from all reports received, Maj. Baizar was on leave and was not to report to work, yet when he was called off leave to go give support on this mission, seemingly with no hesitation, he responded and reported to work. Now that is dedication at a level some of us would never appreciate. He leaves behind his mother, a partner and mother of his kids.

In the case of Cpl. Mendez, the interview given by his father, Retired Sgt. Major Mendez, at his son’s funeral, speaks volumes of the kind of example he got at home from his father, who served 22 years in the BDF. All his training and enthusiasm for his job has been mentioned, and it is without doubt that he served proudly, following in the footsteps of his father, who encouraged him and told him there were great education and career opportunities for him. Cpl. Mendez gravitated to the mechanical field and thus was serving as one of the technical staff at the Air Wing.

In a post on social media, his wife, Guadalupe Mendez states, “He was a very, very special person to me; a wonderful father, [and] a role model to everyone. He always had that sweet smile. He was the perfect man. That’s why it hits me bad.”

Likewise, Cpl. Choco served in like position, but his story of how he became a BDF soldier is so different. From the eulogy read by his cousin, he did not get any encouragement to join the BDF, but rather he had to hide from his parents his interest in serving in the military. Per the story recounted by his cousin, he went to sit the entrance exam, passed it and then, once accepted, he informed his parents, since by then it was a done deal and he did not want to be discouraged. He too, like all the other three men, was loved and admired by their family and friends. Cpl. Choco represented a beacon of light and hope to his loved ones and community.

Interestingly, their places of origin span across the country and they all come from very humble homes. Maj. Ramirez is a native of Corozal Town and the entire town has been called out to mourn his passing.

Cpl. Mendez was the first to be buried, and from the live streams on social media it was obvious that the villagers from Douglas Village, Orange Walk District, and his peers from all over attended his farewell.

Cpl. Choco is from Big Falls, Toledo District, and likewise his entire community came out to pay their respects and mourn with his family his passing. He, like the other men, leaves behind a wife, who is devastated by the loss of her husband.

At the publishing of this article, Maj. Baizar would not have yet been buried; however, from all announcements, it is known that he is from Belize City, having grown up in Lake Independence area. His funeral service is at St. John’s Cathedral.

They came from all over our country, north, south, central, but when they left this earth, they were together as brothers, standing shoulder to shoulder. They did not die alone and they died doing what they loved doing. They are our heroes, but sadly, heroes usually die young. They are heroes, because heroes are people who are selfless, genuinely good persons, and persons who get the undivided attention of all of us and cause change. They are people who were willing to risk their own life to save another’s. These are qualities that aptly describe these men!

May our history never forgot to record their good deeds in the annals of this country!

The untold saga

It would be tragic for us as a nation, if the passing of these men in such a catastrophic manner, is not used to teach us lessons and to make improvements in so many facets of the governance of this country and the operations at the BDF.

For one, very few Belizeans know that, unlike all else in the work force, the soldiers of this country are not eligible to be contributors in the Social Security Scheme. Yes, they do not pay social security, but neither do they nor their family get the benefits of social security. Now, I will admit, sadly, that the benefits are not the best and highest, but would still be something to a widowed mother of young children, children whom they must now raise on their own as their dependents.

Had the fathers been enrolled in the SS Scheme, they would at least get a few dollars weekly or monthly to help with their living expenses. They would be eligible for a funeral grant, maternity grant, sick benefits, etc. … but the BDF soldiers get none of these.

When I last checked, there is a Widows and Orphan Scheme, but the mismanagement of these funds has been a recurring issue, which the rank and file have failed to address, as they are trained to obey their superiors, not challenge them. However, I will inquire more into this to be able to write and provide a more updated account of how the improprieties previously reported have been addressed, if at all.

The truth of the matter is that their salary is very small, despite all their high-level training, so budgeting for personal life and health insurance is seldom a priority, especially when they have a growing family to maintain. Trust my word when I tell you they work hard, give up family time, are seldom with loved ones on special occasions and holidays, and yet the salary is meagre. They all have gotten tours of duty to patrol our borders and risk their lives while we are safely at home in our beds.

This mission is just an example of the many tasks they silently perform with no recognition. The mere fact that at the press conference the police hogged up all the glory, tells you that their contribution is seldom recognized, even when they are the force behind the mission.
Even more frightening about this tragedy is the fact that the authorities cannot get their story straight, and it shows the level of outside “political” interference in the operation of the military, which is a “disciplined” entity that survives and thrives because there is order and chains of commands that must not be broken.

I dare say that despite all the denials, that the chain of command was broken, and I hope and pray the investigation reveals it, and that General Ortega does not cave in to the lies of his political and politically appointed bosses. His integrity and legacy are on the line and he should not shield those who sent his men out into danger. He should honour them with the truth! But I know some can’t handle the truth.

I opine, from the words and body language at the press conference, that I do believe the following:

1. CBDF did not know his men at Air Wing were summoned out to this mission, thus the delay in sending out the search for them;

2. That CEO Felix Enriquez was the man who called the shot and ordered them out, but he has a lot to answer for;

3. That not even the police knew that the BDF chopper was out there lending support;
4. That the helicopter left base from 2:00 a.m. and the flight logs can prove it, if they were not destroyed;

5. That the helicopter was still operational just after 4:00 a.m. when they made their last communication;

6. It is pure nonsense what National Security Minister Peyrefitte says, that it is not unusual to be without communication for hours – let me hold back the expletives here!

7. It is not normal for any four-man helicopter team to stay back in the area after the bust … pure B.S. again, since that is done by a team of foot soldiers [more than four] armed and on the ground, if needs be, and not in the air!

8. I believe none of the families were informed by the BDF, as all I spoke with say they found out via social media or calls from friends who heard of it!

For now, I will hold back my theory as to what happened, but will caution that the crew of that narco-flight could not get out of that area without the help of powerful people, most likely corrupt police officers! These are dangerous times, because it has always been known that the cartel has infiltrated Belize, and our leaders, political and law enforcement, are on the take and when certain names are called … I just whistle!

On my final note, I will end by saying that the Ministers and politicians and CEO have the face of brass to show up at these funerals, knowing in the depths of their conscience, that they are hiding the truth!