Ho, July 26, GNA - A special thanksgiving service has been held for officers and men of the 66 Artillery Regiment at the Volta Barrack, who returned from a peace keeping mission in Chad.

A total of 100 officers and men under the name, "Minurcat Ghanbatt 2" from the Regiment, who joined soldiers from other countries to keep the peace in Chad, came back this month after a period eight months.

Some of the officers and men were taken hostage during the operation in Chad but were later released. Others numbering ten also were involved in a helicopter crush, but they all escaped unhurt.

The service, which included the spouses of the soldiers, was under the theme: "To God be the glory, great things he has done."

The congregation sung and danced to thanksgiving tunes and intermittently hugged and shook hands with each other amidst praises thanking God for keeping the soldiers.

In a sermon, Imam Nurudeen Zakaria of the Regiment, urged people to continually thank God irrespective of their situations and achievements.

He commended the soldiers for serving mankind and underscored the need for people to learn how to serve others voluntary.

Reverend Father Lieutenant Emmanuel Arthur advised the soldiers not to rejoice over their material gains, but rather be happy that they had served mankind.

He urged them to deepen their personal relationships with God and trust in Him and not in their weapons and wisdom.

Lieutenant Colonel Abbas Seidu, Commanding Officer of the Regiment, who led the Unit on the operation, thanked God for protecting them and keeping their families back home.

"We are very grateful to God for protecting us far away Chad and also keeping our prayerful wives and children," he said.

Lt. Seidu commended the officers and men for ensuring unity and togetherness, which he said, was crucial to the success of their operation.

The Church member later offered intercessory prayers for soldiers on peacekeeping all over the world.