My father as a war veteran should not be treated this way

May 08, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
It is with shock and horror I witnessed the unacceptable conduct of (Retired) Lt. Colonel George Gomes, now President of the Guyana Veterans Legion on May 1st, 2016 at the Guyana Veterans Legion Hall on Carifesta Avenue in front of 149 attendees. This former officer was arrogant, he could not give deference to the 92 year old Gladwin Winston Rudolph Nestor, World War II Veteran, a World War II Military Medal recipient, his superior in any sphere.
He would not give him an ear. He sought to berate and tarnish this man’s name, his shoes he cannot fill. He called him a “fraud” in my presence. This word is in no way synonymous with the name Nestor. His service to the British Constabulary and Guyana Police force was distinguished and unbroken. British Guiana gained its independence in 1966. He retired in 1979 at a substantive rank of Acting Assistant Superintendant, having served 33 1/3 years. He was honourably discharged on the 31/3/79
Mr. GWR Nestor, WWII Veteran, is the same man who made it possible by seconding the motion, cementing the merger of the Guyana legion and all ex-joint service associations, he is now disparaging. He was a Veteran then, but when it comes to the distribution of Veterans grants funds, Gomes erroneously think you have to be from the Guyana Defence Force, Caribbean Forces or senior overseas service to be a benefactor! This is the falsehood Retired Lt. George Gomes have tried to insert into the minds of younger Veterans
In Mr. Gomes, inaugural address to the seniors of Legion he promised to be honest and forthright. He was convincing! What can be summed up now is this old Guyanese saying, “motion rice gat a pat, he nah gat a plate,” meaning he was so nice at the inaugural meeting, he was like a lamb. Since he has been at the helm, he has transformed into something that is the opposite. He has forgotten the motto; “Lest We Forget”
Gladwin Winston Rudolph Nestor is not a fraud and I will not allow anyone to defame him. He would not apply for anything he knowingly did not qualify for. He fought for what was his. He did not lay down for anyone; a man I am proud to defend, much more against  someone like (Retired) Lt. Colonel George Gomes.  A wise old saying, says “a certain amount opposition is great help to man; kites rise against and not with the wind, even ahead of wind is better than none, therefore let no man’s wax cold because of opposition. ”
On Sunday May 1st, 2016 Mr. Nestor, World War II Veteran sought audience with Retired Lt. Colonel George Gomes, at the Legion’s meeting, held the first Sunday of each month, to find out, why he had refused to sign his cheque and deliver money due to him?  This money being a yearly grant by the Royal Canadian Legion (RCEL) Canada, Dominion Command to named veterans and legal widows and common-law widows of World War II, issued in care of the Guyana Legion, the now Guyana Veterans Legion. This means the Legion or its principals, (Retired) Lt. Colonel George Gomes et al, have no authority to withhold, rescind or alter a dime from these Veterans and Widows grants, once approved by Dominion Command.
He and his ignorant followers who laughed at my father cannot redefine his or his colleagues Veteran status. My father’s Military service is older than the Guyana Defence Force! If you do not know ask, read, listen and pay attention to your elders. What (Retired) Lt. Colonel George Gomes is ignorant of, is my father’s status as a World War II Veteran and that of those who served in the British Guiana Constabulary.
In 1960, My father received the QEII Medal of service after 18 years of service. In 1966 the Medal of Independence. The grants for Veterans and Widows cannot be tampered with. I urge Retired Lt. Colonel George Gomes to release all funds owing to the Veterans and Widows forthwith. If you think the blind who follow you, my father is not one of them!
I urge all those who have relatives who served in this capacity as my father and were approved for this 2016 grant and prior to go to the finance office of the Guyana Veterans Legion and demand the release of their funds. If you do not get a favourable response, do not be intimidated by the empty, bellicose utterances of Retired Lt Colonel George Gomes, He does not know his Military History, contact The Royal Canadian Legion, Dominion Command, 86 Aird Place, Ottawa Ontario K2L 0A1 or the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League, UK, 199 Borough High Street, London SEI IAA to report any variance or any such irregularity as my father has experienced.
Louis Nestor
Son of a true Veteran

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