“We’re forever indebted to them” – Pres Ali on fallen heroes of World War I & II

…as PM announces Govt pledge to renovate Veterans Legion headquarters

Government has committed to rehabilitate the headquarters of the Guyana Veterans Legion as it continues to lend support to those men and women who have served in the military.

This announcement was made by Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Sunday while addressing a gathering at the Legion’s headquarters as part of this year’s Remembrance Day observance.
Prior to that event, the National Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony was held early Sunday morning at the War Monument (Cenotaph) in Georgetown to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of World War I and World War II.
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Irfaan Ali, was joined by Prime Minister Phillips, Chief-of-Defence Staff Brigadier Omar Khan of the Guyana Defence Force, other heads of the Joint Services, and members of the diplomatic community at the monument site just outside the Bank of Guyana.
During brief remarks at the wreath-laying ceremony, President Ali recognised the sacrifices of those gallant men and women who give their lives in the two world wars. He also urged Guyanese to remember the sacrifices of those service members.

“We’re forever indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice in a cause of peace and freedom. We also recall with gratitude those, who through the years, have made similar personal sacrifices in the continuing struggle for human dignity, social justice and freedom from all forms of oppression wherever these exist. Their example strengthens our resolve to maintain our efforts for a world at peace with Justice and prosperity for all peoples,” the Commander-in-Chief noted.

Renovate HQ
That wreath-laying event was followed by the annual Remembrance Day ceremony held at the Guyana Veterans Legion headquarters on Carifesta Avenue. There, Prime Minister Phillips delivered the feature address during which he recognised the need for the building to undergo a much-needed facelift.
“It’s about time that we need to make the home of the veterans a better looking home,” he stated.

According to the Prime Minister, he will work alongside the GDF’s Chief-of-Defence Staff on preparing the estimate for the repairs and will submit the document to the Defence Board for approval.

National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia, on behalf of his company – Roraima Airways, pledged to paint the building and provide the curtains once the repairs are completed.
Additional pledges to the Legion included $1 million from the Office of President, $1 million from the Prime Minister’s Office, $1 million from the GDF and $500,000 from the Guyana Police Force. Other attendees at the ceremony also made financial contributions to the Legion.
As was done last year, President Ali has also committed to giving each surviving World War veteran $100,000. Moreover, PM Phillips, a veteran himself, offered $200,000 as a personal pledge. This is in addition to the hampers that his office distributes twice per year to members of the Veterans Legion.
Currently, there are four surviving veterans of World War II in Guyana: Victor Brush, Donald Grant, James Samuels and Franklyn Courtman – each of whom are 98-years old. A fifth veteran, Kenneth King, died within the past year.
According to Prime Minister Phillips, caring for the veterans is a true mark of a grateful nation.
“Taking care of our veterans is a collective duty. Our veterans carry the physical and emotional marks of their service and as a society, we must ensure that they receive the care and opportunities that they deserve,” he noted.
The PM added that the Guyana Government is committed to providing veterans with access to quality healthcare, rehabilitation services and other necessities to support their well beings.
“We hold great respect for their sacrifices and want to ensure that they’re properly integrated into the community that they fought to protect… Universally, veterans embody a model of citizenship in their courageous, selflessness and love of country. We find the highest ideals of what it means to serve the nation. Today, I invite us all to look to their example and consider how us all can contribute to a stronger more unified Guyana and by extension, a stronger more unified world,” he stated.

Not forgotten
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Veterans Legion, Lt. Colonel (Retired) George Gomes, implored that these fallen heroes are not forgotten.
“We must never forget them. It is our responsibility to ensure that future generations are thought about the significance and importance of these annual observances and to inculcate in them, the need to maintain the tradition… We have to ensure that these observances are never watered down. They are the most integral part of our history and must be maintained for prosperity. Time must never diminish the significance of today – Remembrance Day,” he stated.
According to Gomes, another responsibility is to ensure that these veterans are taken care of.
Similar sentiments were expressed by the Chief-of-Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, who assured that the relationship between the GDF and the Guyana Veterans Legion will continue.
“We will have special interest in all veterans – all the members of this body. I myself will become a veteran and I know the service that all of us would’ve done, it is not to be taken for granted,” Khan posited.
Remarks were also made by members of the diplomatic community during Sunday’s Remembrance Day ceremony at the Veterans Legion.
Remembrance Day, observed annually on November 11 by Commonwealth nations, honours those who died in the world wars. The commemorative ceremony is traditionally held on Remembrance Sunday, the second Sunday of November. (G8)