THE Guyana Veterans Legion, at its annual remembrance observance held at Goghlan House on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, was able to amass a whopping $3,619,700 in pledges and donations in less than 15 minutes.Of that amount, the sum of $3,575,000 was pledged to be paid within a few days, while $44,700 were paid on the spot.

The money received represented the committed and compassionate response to a segment of the programme, ‘Pledges of Support’ for veterans, which formed part of the agenda.

An elated Guyana Veterans Legion Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Raymond Agre Saul, who chaired the programme, made the announcement at the end of 15 minutes.

“We did well with our pledges, and that (amount) stands at $3,575,000. Donations received amounted to $44,700, giving a total of $3,619,700”, he declared. Expressing a hearty ‘Thank You’ and ‘Well done,’ he said, “I know (that) next year you will better that.”

The chairman also invited persons within the gathering who were desirous of making donations to the Legion’s fund to come forward. Among those making donations were Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge, who gave $1M on behalf of President David Granger and Brigadier George Lewis, who also pledged $1M to the veterans fund from the serving soldiers. The Joint Services Co-coordinating Council donated $200,000; Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken donated $200,000; the Guyana Prison Service donated $200,000; Derek Lawrence and Corps of Wardens donated $200,000; Derek Lawrence personally donated $100,000; the City Constabulary donated $75,000; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, personally donated $150,000; Attorney General Basil Williams personally donated $150,000; Colonel Frank Bispham donated $50,000; Kalibur Security Service donated $200,000; Romeo Mc Rae donated US$100; Vibert Parvattan of the St John’s Ambulance Brigade donated $25,000, and Justice Patterson donated $25,000.

Joining the veterans in celebration of the occasion were Greenidge, currently performing the functions of President; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Attorney General Basil Williams; British High Commissioner Gregg Quinn; Canadian High Commissioner Pierre Giroux; Indian High Commissioner Venkatachalam Mahalingam; representatives of the Guyana Police Force; Assistant Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken; Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels; Members of Parliament and other well-wishers. The money received will be used to provide sustenance for veterans.

In an invited comment, Warrant Officer (retired) Gerald Gilbert wholeheartedly supported the initiative of raising funds for the veterans, saying it is timely.

“It puts them in a state of comfort and makes them feel that there are persons out there who still care for all the sacrifices that they have made over the years. Now that they are no longer energetic as before, (it is fitting) to allow them an opportunity to feel comfortable in the knowledge that persons recognize their service, and now attention is given to them,” he said.