The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) for its 49th anniversary honoured and paid homage toChief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Mark Phillips?laying a wreath in memory of the fallen soldiers.ex-army personnel and military officers with the observance of Veterans’ Day.The event was a wreath-laying ceremony on Friday, last, at the Veteran’s Monument, Base Camp Ayanganna in the Capital City. ?The observance saw interfaith prayers?offered by representatives of the Hindu,Jerseys From China, Muslim and Christian faiths for those who served in?World Wars One and Two.The event was graced by the various heads of the Discipline Forces and special invitees. Among those in attendance were Major General (Retired) Norman Mc Clean, Chief-of-Staff (Retired), Rear Admiral Gary Best, Major General (Retired) Joe Singh and members of the Veterans’ Legion.The “Day for Veterans” is an annual event to honour all brave and fallen soldiers.Chief-of-Staff of the GDF,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, Brigadier Mark Phillips stated that he and his ranks have?noted the sacrifices of the fallen, their hardship and inconvenience endured as they served to maintain law and order in Guyana and the preservation of territorial integrity.“You before us have rendered exemplary service to our nation, safeguarding our national patrimony. Whether you served in British Guiana Volunteer?Force?(BGVF) or Special Service Unit, you played an important role in our transition from colony to an independent state.”“We recognise your service today,?and today, like since 1965, the GDF will continue to function to earn the respect of the Guyanese society in defence, development, diplomacy and democracy,” the Chief-of-Staff remarked.Stating that he is cognizant of the challenges facing the veterans, Brigadier Phillips pledged toA section of the gathering at the wreath laying service.continue to focus on welfare issues. He added that moves are apace to see a substantial dedication in the monthly payment by occupants of Joint Services home.Brigadier Phillips also took the time out to congratulate the veterans for having one veteran body.President of the Guyana Veterans’ Legion, Retired Colonel George Gomes, encouraged new veterans to join the veterans’ legion where their focus is to maintain the bond that existed during their service in the Force.“We look forward to coming to Camp Ayanganna on Veterans’ Day. This is our homecoming and just passing through the gates and coming in is a very good feeling.”“Military service cannot be compared to teachers,Authentic Jerseys Sale, nurses or with the civil servants because it’s where you step forward and you are prepared to put your life on the line for your country,” he said. There is a need for a well staffed and equipped National Veterans Secretariat, he added.The Legion President said that they faced a problem attracting soldiers who would have left the army over the last five or six years. “For some reason,NFL Jerseys Outlet, the youngsters now look at the organisation and say ‘it’s for old,http://www.theworldsoccersshop.com/Belgium-Christian-Kabasele-Jersey.html, gray-haired people.’”He urged the Chief-of-Staff to include veterans in training programmes and courses. He suggested that the veterans be invited to interact and let them know?”soldiers are not friends?for a day or two, soldiers are people who are bonded for life,http://www.airmaxfantasy.us.com/1600-New-Balance/, as a matter of fact our motto?is?‘remembering our service, maintaining the bond’.”“When you join the army you live in a bunk room. Your comrades around you, you see them and get to know them more than your family. It’s even more bonding when you go to interior locations and have to spend the minimum of thirty-two months.”“Those soldiers in that location become closer to you than your brother and other family members. That’s why we want to ensure that the bond is maintained. We want the new veterans to be encouraged to join the Guyana Veteran Legion. We have a home there for them when they leave the army,” Gomes said.During the ceremony, $1 million was donated by serving soldiers to the GDF to assist the veterans’ legion. This money is said to have been accumulated from all GDF members who donated one day’s pay.Wreaths, decorated with poppies, were laid by the Chief-of-Staff and the retired Colonel Gomes on the Veterans’ Monument. The memorial was commissioned on the occasion of the army’s 40th anniversary.It had been constructed by the Veterans Association which recognised that there was already a monument for fallen soldiers but thought it fitting to have one for local soldiers. The words “For our fallen heroes and those who