IT’S Christmastime again, and in the spirit of caring and sharing, and indeed ‘giving back’ Captain Gerald Gouveia, Chief Executive Officer of Roraima Airways, on Friday hosted a Christmas Luncheon for senior citizens. Most of the seniors were distinguished Army Veterans who are survivors of World War II. Joining them also, were seniors from the Millicent Greaves Senior Citizens Home.

The venue for the event was Duke Lodge, Kingston where the seniors were treated to a sumptuous luncheon, after which came greetings from Captain Gouveia and other distinguished military icons, including Major General (Ret’d) Norman Mc Lean and Lt. Col (Ret’d) Fabian Liverpool. Also present was Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Mr. Edward Boyer – all of whom offered words of encouragement as they delivered brief remarks and extended greetings to the veterans for a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year.

There was also a segment during which some of the veterans serenaded the gathering with Christmas Carols or other ‘Golden Oldies’ that took the audience on a nostalgic journey down memory lane.

Veterans who survived World War II included: Jerry Stewart, 97 – an Artillery soldier; Benjamin Durante who turned 99 on November 14 last; Albert Thorne and Louldof Wiggins.

Emcee for the occasion was Jerry Gouveia (Junior), the son of Captain Gerald Gouveia.

Jerry (Jnr) said his father served in the Guyana Defence Force for some 15 years, retiring as a Major in the Air Corps. For this reason, he said, his father has always had a very tight bond with the military here in Guyana. “In fact, the military has been a very defining force in my father’s life, and has made him the man he is today,” he said with obvious gratitude.

For this reason, throughout the years Captain Gouveia has always had donations or initiatives as a way of ‘giving back’ to the veteran community in some way. “It’s Christmastime and we’re having this programme for the veterans just to let them know that we are thinking about them,” the younger Gouveia added.

“Coming together and having lunch they get the opportunity to sing songs and share poems. It is always a fantastic experience,” Jerry said. Moreover, for him, having been a former military member in Canada, being able to talk with some of the veterans face to face was an exciting experience, he acknowledged.

Jerry Jnr who is also a pilot is currently running the Aviation Department in the Roraima Airways Company. He has charge over flights to the hinterland and deep jungle, international flights and all the medevac flights, but most of all he’s a Flying Santa, taking fun and excitement to the children of hinterland locations where they have so far distributed 1000 gifts to them.

Partnering with a charity called “Gifts of Hope”, Roraima Airways was able to take school children on tours to Santa Mission, while hosting parties and distributing toys for others at: Arrow Point; Baramita, Region One; Chenapau, Region Eight; Skeldon, Region Five; Linden in Region 10, and the Children’s Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital last Friday.

And interestingly, it turns out that the Santa Claus, who was distributing gifts to the children at the party, was none other than Jerry Gouveia (Jnr)… the very person who was piloting the aircraft to take them safely to and from their destinations.
“Fantastic!” he said.