$2.3M collected for legionaries and ex-soldiers
THE Guyana Veterans Legion, previously the Guyana Legion, Sunday amassed $2.3M which is to be used for the benefit of the legionaries and ex-soldiers who have retired after serving the military in various capacities.
A section of the gathering at the Guyana Veterans Legion Remembrance Day Reception
The collection was done during a reception hosted by the Guyana Veterans Legion to commemorate Remembrance Day. The venue was Coghlan House, the Legion’s headquarters on Carifesta Avenue in Georgetown.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds made the first donation of $500,000 on behalf of the Office of the President, and a further $300,000 on behalf of the Office of the Prime Minister.
That proved to have had a springboard effect for immediately after Brigadier (Ret’d) David Granger, who is also PNCR/APNU Leader, made a pledge for $100,000 on behalf of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Thereafter there was a spirited competition, with the Guyana Police Force making a pledge of $200,000. But the Guyana Defence Force was not to be outdone, and so Brigadier Mark Phillips headed to the podium and announced that the army was making a pledge of $1M.
President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Col. (Ret’d) George Gomes addresses the gathering. In the background Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, is flanked by (at left) Brigadier Mark Phillips and the Legion’s Vice President, Col. (Ret’d) Frank Bispham
GFS CASH DONATION
Meanwhile, the Guyana Fire Service made an on-the-spot cash donation of $50,000; the City Constabulary of the Mayor and City Council (MCC) pledged $50,000; Mr. Lyken (MCC) pledged $60,000. Another donor in the audience gave US$100; Beverley Somerset gave $5,000 and the (Kingsley) Nelson family – $10,000. Box collections around the room totalled $13,840.
Within a record ten minutes, the donation segment secured a whopping $2,355,840 ($2.3 M) in pledges and liquid cash.
REFURBISHING LEGION’S HOME
Meanwhile, Brigadier Phillips assured that the GDF will contribute meaningfully to the refurbishing of the Legion’s home – Coghlan House. He said the estimate is already obtained and secured and the GDF stands ready to deliver in 2015.
The Legion, formerly the Guyana Legion, was amalgamated with the Ex-Guyana Defence Force soldiers on April 6 last to become the Guyana Veterans
Prime Minister Hinds poses with Ms. Norma Scott, who at age 82 is the oldest female ex-soldier alive. Enlisted in the first batch, her regulation number was Pte. 3181
Legion.
Prime Minister Hinds, on behalf of President Ramotar who is patron of the Legion congratulated the move and promised to give them his support. And Brigadier Phillips, eminently proud of this accomplishment, referred to the camaraderie as ‘a crescendo on this day.’
The commemoration reception was held to honour those men and women who served in World Wars I and II and paid the extreme sacrifice so that others may live in peace.
Also acknowledged were local ex-soldiers present at the reception, who fought in World War II. Prime Minister Hinds delivered the feature address at the commemoration reception. Other speakers acknowledging the sacrifice made by the slain servicemen and women were President of the Legion, Col. (Ret’d) George Gomes; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips; Canadian High Commissioner, Ms. Nichola Giles and the Legion’s General Secretary, Mr. Kingsley Davis.
Meanwhile, other special guests at the reception were Sergeant Steve Boyd, Canadian Forces Military Police, Military Police Security Services; Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh; and Lt. Colonel (Ret’d) Joseph Harmon.