-- As Liberians at home and abroad join the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the broader security sector to celebrate Armed Forces Day, former AFL Captain Jerry K. Kollie has called for the strategic utilization of trained, skillful, and physically fit military veterans in Liberia's agriculture and infrastructure sectors.
Delivering his Armed Forces Day message on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Captain Kollie highlighted the significant investment Liberia has made in training thousands of men and women from diverse professional backgrounds, both domestically and abroad. He emphasized that many of these veterans remain valuable resources for the nation and could contribute meaningfully in fields such as agriculture, road construction, the fight against drugs, and security consultancy.
Kollie warned that neglecting and abandoning ex-security personnel who have served the nation poses a threat to national security and discourages young people from joining the security sector. "The fall of the dry leaf is a warning to the green one," he cautioned.
He further stressed that many veterans are still capable of active and advisory roles in construction, mechanical and medical work, agriculture, and intelligence. Kollie also warned against the politicization of the security forces, describing it as a recipe for disloyalty, inefficiency, and instability.
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A former legislative candidate for District #2, Bong County, Captain Kollie urged politicians to keep party politics out of the AFL and other national security institutions, insisting that the army must remain an independent and professional force committed to protecting Liberia's territorial integrity.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., Commander-in-Chief of the AFL, has declared Wednesday, February 11, 2026, as "Armed Forces Day," a national holiday to be observed with parades and ceremonies across the country. This year marks the 69th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, to be celebrated at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) under the theme: "Securing Liberia Together: Strengthening Inter-Agency Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking and Emerging Security Threats."
According to a Foreign Ministry release, the proclamation emphasizes special recognition and honor for veterans of the AFL and Coast Guard who have actively served and upheld the tenets of democracy and human rights. The celebration, in line with national legislation, acknowledges the AFL's vital role in defending the nation's territorial integrity and contributing to Liberia's structural and social transformation.
