DHAKA, Nov 23, 2023 (BSS) - A reception was organized at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC on Wednesday marking the 52nd Armed Forces Day celebration.

Deputy Chief of Staff of US Army Lieutenant General Patrick Matlock spoke as the chief guest at the event organized at Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Embassy, an official release said here today.

Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States of America (USA) Muhammad Imran and Defence Attach, of Bangladesh Embassy Brigadier General Shahedul Islam also addressed the event, the release added.

Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant General Patrick Matlock lauded the contribution of Bangladesh Armed Forces in safeguarding national independence and establishing world peace.

Mentioning Bangladesh as the world's largest troop contributing country to UN peacekeeping operations, he said the world is grateful for the contribution of Bangladeshi troops.

Ambassador Imran paid deep respect to the architect of Bangladesh, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He paid deep respect to the 30 lakh martyrs, including the brave members of the armed forces, who sacrificed their lives in the Great War of Liberation. 

He said that as a friendly country, the United States has provided all kinds of assistance in the development journey of Bangladesh in the past and Bangladesh is keen to work more closely to take this relationship to new heights.

US Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Afreen Akhter and Alternate Executive Director of the World Bank Ahmed Kaykaus were present on the occasion, among others.