Continuing its social outreach…
THE Guyana Legion will, on Tuesday, continue its outreach to embrace all former and serving members of Disciplined Services through its social programme. The pre-Independence Anniversary day is when the ‘Mid-Year Oldies’ fete will be held at its Coghlan House, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown headquarters, with among other entertainers the Police Dance Band performing.

Although that is not a Friday night, when they are usually there, Eve’s special black and white puddings are among the delicacies that will be on sale.

That will be the second such activity since the Legionnaires Constitution was amended, at a special general meeting last year August, to change the image of the Legion and make it more inclusive.

The amendments allow full membership to all ex-service personnel of the military and para-military, all serving in those organisations and others in Commonwealth and foreign armies, which include only recognised official national armies.

Associate members are also now allowed to vote at meetings and references to World Wars One and Two have been removed from the constitution to ensure that recent retirees do not feel excluded, with all the changes having been ratified by the Commissioner of Friendly Societies.

Since then, the lower auditorium of the two-storey Legionnaires building has been transformed into a club like environment, with furnishings comparable to those at most such venues in the city and games, darts and billiards included, are offered daily, as well as on occasions organised by the Entertainment and Sports Committee.

Membership of the Legion, for an entrance fee of $1,000 and an annual contribution of $1,000, entitles each holder to a badge, identification (ID) card and price discounts at certain shopping places.

Meanwhile, as Legionnaires continue to contribute to funding the Veterans Home under construction at North Ruimveldt, also in Georgetown, the local body received visitors from the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, in March 2009 and the Royal Canadian Legion, in January 2010.

The former has been, since 1985, making yearly financial grants to identified veterans of the World Wars and their widows, one of the benefits to the Guyana Legion, including from the Royal British League, the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund and the Royal Canadian Legion, overseen by the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League.

The Government, which has been encouraging the formation of the umbrella grouping, made a $5M donation towards the North Ruimveldt project but more is expected from that source, especially if that goal is achieved.