The military yesterday paid tribute to the officer who passed away earlier this month.

It was an inconsolable crowd of family members that gathered yesterday, August 22, 2013 at the Military Headquarters Brigade in Yaounde to bid farewell to their loved one, Lieutenant Marie Grace Koundou, who passed away on August 3, after a brief illness.

Soldiers did not also hide their feeling as they joined the wailing family with gloomy faces as the casquette of the deceased was carried into the ceremonial ground. Sitting in for the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge Defence, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo’o, Brigadier Daniel Njock Elokobi, on behalf of the entire military corps, bowed down in respect to the deceased.

Prior to that, eulogies spoke of a hardworking mother and colleague. The 47-year-old mother of one was fondly referred to as “Mama bonheur” by colleagues and all who came across her because of her loving character. Before leaving for the world beyond, Lieutenant Marie Grace Koundou served at the Command Unit of Gendarmerie Schools and Training Centre, Yaounde where she was Bureau Head.

Her professional career started on August 20, 1999 when she was recruited as a gendarme officer. Her journey to the world beyond ends on August 24, 2013 in Nkoumedzap in the Centre Region where she will be buried.