…$746,800 more garnered in donations and a pledge
IN acknowledgement of their sterling contribution to the nation during their years of service in the armed forces, the men and women of the Ex-Soldiers Association were on Sunday rewarded, in a moving show of solidarity with the ex-members of the disciplined services, monetary donations to the tune of $1,746,800. This appreciation was manifested on Sunday at a reception at Coghlan House, the Headquarters of the Guyana Legion, to commemorate Armistice Day 2010.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, extending greetings to the forum, on behalf of President Bharrat Jagdeo, Commander-in-Chief of the Disciplined Services, initiated the effort with the first donation of $1M from President Bharrat Jagdeo, and his own donation of $100,000 from the Office of the Prime Minister.
“In the tradition that we have had here on Remembrance Day, I would like to initiate a collection of commitment, to be used for the welfare of veterans of the wars and our own veterans from the Guyana Defence Force, the Police Force and those who served in our disciplined services since our Independence,” the Prime Minister affirmed.
And in a moving show of solidarity with the ex-members of the disciplined services, others present, in response to a call made by General Secretary of the Legion, Kingsley Nelson, other donations amounting to $646,800 were made, along with a pledge for $100,000.
Donors were follows: Guyana Defence Force  –  $100,000; Commodore Gary Best – $100,000; Joint Services Coordinating Committee –  $50,000; Dr. Jose Da Silva – $50,000 and St. Joseph’s High School – a pledge of $10,000; and members of civil society through on the spot collections – $36,800.
General Secretary Kingsley Nelson, on behalf of the Guyana Legion, thanked President Jagdeo, Prime Minister Hinds and all others for their generous donations, and tremendous show of support for the Guyana Legion, noting that the money will go a far way towards relieving the attendant stress and strain as they grow older.