Dignified repatriation ceremony for fallen JDF soldier

On Wednesday a solemn repatriation ceremony was kept for the body of Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) soldier Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Diana Drummond-Thomas, who reportedly collapsed and died while on special training in the United States.

Friends, family and mourners gathered to honour the life and service of the 37 year old at a twofold ceremonial proceeding, the JDF reports.

Delta Airlines provided an honour guard during the dignified transfer of the fallen soldier's remains with escort provided by US Army Major George Chacon, Lieutenant Commander Miguel Ferguson and Chief Petty Officer Stacy-Ann Lewis-Walters of the JDF.

The JDF says, the Jamaican leg of the repatriation was marked by deep reverence.

"A bearer party retrieved her remains from the aircraft, followed by a solemn salute from the firing party," the JDF said on social media.

Chief of Defence Staff, Vice Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman and other senior officials of the JDF stood in respect, paying tribute to her sacrifice and service.

Drummond-Thomas served in various appointments at the JDF Coast Guard and other units including, Class 1 Coxswain, Naval Police at the Port Royal base, Instructor on Recruit Intakes at the Military Training Wing and an instructor at the then Caribbean Military Maritime Training Centre (CMMTC), Jamaica Defence Force Coast Guard (JDF CG) HMJS CAGWAY, Port Royal.

The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) said, Drummond-Thomas, a foreign guest instructor assigned to the WHINSEC from the JDF Coast Guard, passed away at St Francis Hospital in Columbus, Georgia, where she was being treated following a medical emergency that took place on February 18, 2025.

-Andre Williams

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