The Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday released the calendar of events for the 53rd Flag Day Anniversary, with the President of the Economic Community of West African States; (ECOWAS) Mohammed Ibn Chambas to address the official program commemorating the celebration next Thursday.   This year's celebration, under the theme “Building Together the AFL-A Force for Good” also commemorates the 102nd year of existence of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and will be held at the Grand Stand of the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia.  Defense Ministry Director of Public Affairs, David K. Dahn told a news conference on Tuesday in Monrovia that the February 11 Armed Forces Day celebration will highlight series of activities, including the activation ceremony of the Liberian Coast Guard, the unarmed Combat Drill, Combat March with Road-carrying equipment and Rucksack, among several others.

According to the Defense Ministry official, he said to make the celebration more meaningful, the Jordanian contingent of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) and AFL medics will conduct a joint medical outreach on Tuesday to sensitize residents of selected communities in Tubmanburg on Hepatitis Infections. He said on February 10, 2010, the joint medical team will also conduct an outreach to sensitize residents in Duazon Community, emphasizing diagnosis and provision of drugs for minor ailment. Mr. Dahn further indicated that this year's celebration will include series of programs beginning this Friday with sporting activities, including football, kickball and volleyball matches between the AFL Defenders and the Liberia National Police Blue Angels at the Antoinette Tubman Stadium. He said, prior to the matches, there will be a special Jummat service for the AFL at the Benson Street Mosque.  The Defense Ministry official explained that the personnel of the AFL and Defense Ministry will conduct a clean-up campaign along the Somalia Drive this Saturday, while a documentary film on the AFL as a Force for good for Liberia would be aired on selected electronic medium.

Mr. Dahn also stated that the personnel of the AFL and the Ministry o Defense are expected to attend a special Thanksgiving Worship Service at the United Methodist Church on Ashmun Street in central Monrovia.   The Defense Ministry Director of Public Affairs said a symposium under the theme “Safe-guarding Liberia's territorial Waters-Mission, Challenges and Opportunities for Liberian Coast Guard” will take place at the Monrovia City Hall on February 9 and the Maritime Advisor, at the Office for Security Cooperation, United States Embassy, Dr. Jennifer Ketchhum will serve as keynote speaker, while former Interim President of Liberia, Dr. Amos C. Sawyer will serve as moderator for the day.It is expected that discussants would come from various sectors of Government including Finance, Health and Social welfare, Justice, Agriculture, National Port Authority the Liberia National Police, Bureaus of Maritimes Affairs and Immigration and Naturalization.