THE plight of veterans has not eluded the notice of Government, said President David Granger as he assured retired army officers that efforts are being made to improve their lot.

The President expressed these sentiments during his address at the Guyana Veterans Legion Remembrance Day Ceremony at Coghlan House, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown, on Sunday.
And in a tangible demonstration of his commitment to the cause of the veterans of Guyana and bettering their lot, he made a $1M donation at the “Pledges of Support Segment” of the ceremony, on behalf of the Ministry of the Presidency.

Given in good faith, this token represented but the first in a total of $2,802,000 in donations made in rapid succession by other entities at the remembrance ceremony.
The gesture was quickly replicated by the Guyana Defence Force, with Chief of Staff Patrick West making a pledge of $1M on behalf of the Guyana Defence Force and a further $50,000 representing his personal donation.

Other donations were from the Georgetown Public Hospital ($50,000); the Guyana Police Force ($100,000); Central Housing and Planning Authority ($100,000); the Guyana Prison Service ($60,000); the Guyana Fire Service ($75,000); Mayor & City Council ($20,000); Justice James Patterson ($40,000); UG Vice-Chancellor, Ivelaw Griffith ($50,000); Brigadier Edward Collins ($75,000); Romeo Mc Rae of the Toronto Chapter ($20,000); New York Chapter (US$500); Fitzroy Corlette ($20,000); Semple, a private individual, ($20,000).

Winding up his address to the Guyana Veterans Legions Remembrance Ceremony at Coghlan House on Sunday, President Granger paid tribute to the men and women who paid the ultimate price in World Wars I and II.
And taking note of those before him with obvious scars, and who have survived World War II, the President declared:

“Today we look not to the past, but we look to the future and we are all concerned about the fate of the persons – young persons who either as teenagers or young adults, joined the defence and security forces to serve their country. And as you can see from today’s parade, the number of persons in wheelchairs or wearing dark glasses is phenomenal,” he said.

And declared: “The plight of veterans has not eluded the Government of Guyana and when I was in opposition, I promised that when I get into government I would make it an imperative to investigate the conditions under which our veterans live and work, and this has been done.”
The President said he has been working through the Guyana Defence Board, with the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Veterans Legion, and civil society to continue to improve the lot of veterans.

“For those who might have given what was expected, equally, we expected that those who have served will continue to receive not only the gratitude, but the support of the Government and the people of Guyana,” the President affirmed.
Meanwhile, Chairperson, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Lelon Saul, said “Without your support it would be difficult, if not impossible for us to support the men and women who have given selflessly.”

The Coghlan House ceremony followed the Remembrance (Armistice) Day Parade at the Cenotaph outside the Bank of Guyana.
At Coghlan House, British High Commissioner to Guyana Greg Quinn delivered brief remarks on the historic occasion.
Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana Lilian Chattergee rendered a poem, while President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) George Gomes gave a history of the Guyana Veterans Legion.

Also present at the occasion were University of Guyana Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith; Deputy Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hickens; new GECOM chair Justice (Rt’d) James Patterson; heads and deputy heads of the Disciplined Services, among others.
The Police Band did the honours of providing a nostalgic interlude of Christmas carols interspersed with other symphonious selections, after which the Last Post and Reveille were sounded.