As veterans of the Joint Services gathered to receive another unforgettable treat at the sixth

annual Veterans Luncheon held at Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston Georgetown, Tuesday, the retired military men have called for more respect from a nation which they have risked their lives and all to serve and defend.

Over fifty veterans from the Guyana Defense Force, Guyana National Service, Guyana Police Force and People’s Militia shared memories, lunch and a cultural show and enjoyed good karaoke, all complements of Captain Gerald Gouveia, a Veteran himself.
One of the leading men in the organization, Colonel Desmond Roberts, highlighted that veterans have in the past saved the country in aggressive controversy from both Venezuela and Suriname, while many fought in World War 11.

They have not received the honor they deserve, he reiterated, even as he called for documentaries to be produced on the lives of those who fought in the World War, while some should be frontrunners in national affairs.
“We’ve done a lot. People take it for granted. It was only because we’re so efficient… What happened at Lethem in the Rupununi? We went in there and save 23,000 square kilometers of land. Do you know the Venezuelans were waiting for just one more day to (say) that ok we recognize you as a new country? We got in to one open airstrip and not one of us died, so it was a very successful operation. I

think Guyanese take that for granted,” Colonel Roberts said.

He was speaking about the Rupununi Uprising, and also recalled in 1969 too, soldiers in the GDF saved Guyana’s land from Suriname in the New River Triangle controversy, when Surinamese soldiers had camped on Guyana’s land and planned a takeover of the area with the hopes of constructing additional military stations.
“And in the same year in 1969, with a wonderful operation, we moved into a place called New River and pushed out the Surinamese. We would have lost another 18,000 square kilometers… so if we have not had those two successful operations, Guyana would have been a very different country right now,” Colonel Roberts said.

Still many take their efforts and service to the country for granted, because the lawmen said though they were efficient in their operations, they have remained humbled.
“…We were so good… suddenly now we’re just ordinary veterans,” he stated.
Colonel Roberts said the Guyana Veterans Association has made successful attempts to solicit assistance for some of its members and those approached – including government and other organisations – seem “favourably disposed” to assisting veterans, since they all desire to see them do well as rewards for their contributions to Guyana’s wellbeing and development.

Captain Gerald Gouveia, who hosted the event, said he is thankful for the opportunity to fete and fellowship with the men and women once again.
In brief remarks, he said while many worked eight and twelve hours, military men worked at least 18 hours, and there is no amount of money or expression of gratitude that could have paid them for such dedication to serving country. He said veterans are in need of much care.
“More needs to be done to help our veterans. They have served the nation with distinction and need not just be remembered but must be cared for”.

The Veteran’s Luncheon has become an integral part of Christmas tradition at Roraima Airways. The veteran’s associations which participated in the Roraima Veterans Luncheon were the Guyana Veterans Legion and the Millicent Greaves Citizens Home.
He said though veterans must receive worthy honor, they too need to continue giving honor to the state.

“Serving in the military was the building block for us veterans and together, we are grateful to the Government for giving us the opportunity to serve. We ourselves need to say thank you to the state for letting us serve,” Captain Gouveia remarked.
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Veterans League Retired Colonel George Gomes hailed Gouveia as one of the most ardent supporters of the association. He said, faithfully, the former Army Captain contributes monthly to the organization, for the wellbeing of several of the men and women.

Colonel Gomes said such contributions help satisfy the welfare of the veterans, many of whom are sick and are shut-ins. Some 86 of the veterans are from the Guyana Defense Force, including 20 who fought in World War 2.
In addition to Captain Gouveia, other senior retired Guyana Defence Force Officers and Private Sector leaders addressed the large audience. Among the speakers were the President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) George Gomes, Lieutenant Colonel (ret’d) and Director-General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, Egbert Fields, Colonel (ret’d) Desmond Roberts, Ministerial Advisor, Basil Blackman, Vice-President of the Private Sector commission, Desmond Sears and President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Vishnu Doerga.

Special recognition was given to one of Guyana’s oldest veteran private soldiers, Lloyd DeFreitas who served in World War II. He was honored for his outstanding bravery in that war and contribution to the Veteran Clan. Private DeFreitas is now 93 years old.