The Guyana Legion hosted the reception as its annual observance to mark Remembrance Day and to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the World Wars.
“I have a very good idea of the destruction that wars cause on human beings and on human society, and these are the things that we have to continue to fight against in our lifetime”, the President said, according to GINA.
He added, “…we cannot therefore, ever say enough thanks and gratitude to those who participated, those who survived…to pay homage to them for the tremendous sacrifices that they must have made in real terrible conflict and terrible times.”
British High Commissioner, Andrew Ayre said that the fallen heroes had his deepest respect and gratitude. GINA said he paid particular tribute to the Guyanese soldiers who fought alongside the armed forces of the United Kingdom in the two World Wars.
“Without the support and partnership of Guyana and other Commonwealth countries, the world we live in would be very different and our shared values of democracy, accountability, tolerance, human dignity, respect and the value of service might have been lost forever,” Ayre said. GINA said that among other donations made at the reception were those of GDF Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best on behalf of the Guyana Defence Force and himself. The Chief of Staff pledged $500,000 on behalf of the army and made a personal pledge of $150,000. Dr Jose Da Silva of Modern Optical Services pledged $100,000 and there were other individuals who made smaller contributions to the total.
