Latest update November 5th, 2024 1:37 AM
Army veterans’ home commissioned
Some fifteen years after the Guyana Defence Force had a dream about building a home for the former
The newly Commissioned Veterans Home
military men and women who had encountered difficult times, a spanking two-story building was yesterday commissioned for that purpose.
The home is located in the Joint Service Scheme, in North Ruimveldt.
Head of the Guyana Legion, Colonel (rtd), Carl Morgan, noted that yesterday’s commissioning marks a bright beginning after a long struggle to get where they are today.
It was ex-captain Oscar Pollard who had the idea about the home for those who had diligently served this Guyana but had fallen on hard times. Outlining the process of how the land was acquired and the many challenges they had encountered, Morgan disclosed that original estimate was about $50M. Serving soldiers also played their part in helping with the home.
Enid Bissember, the widow of Michael Bissember, were among the many persons who made monetary donations.
Bissember, according to Morgan, has donated $700,000 in the memory of her late husband, a former senior army official. It was the plan to build a three-storey home, but that changed after funds were trickling in.
A “buy a brick foundation” campaign was launched in Guyana and overseas.
In 2009, President Bharrat Jagdeo, had given them $5M and again in 2010, the President said he wanted the building to finish.
A whopping $40M was given and a new contractor sought.
Army Chief, Commodore Gary Best, said it was a very special moment for the army and give the army’s commitment to continuously support veterans by lobbying to government.
According to Jagdeo, it is important that facilities like this are built. More emphasis should be placed on persons when they leave military service.
He also announced that the home would receive a subvention from the Ministry of Finance.
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