A delegation from the Meghalaya Ex-Service League (MESL), comprising retired soldiers of the army, navy and air force visited their old ailing members on Wednesday.
This visit was part of the regular yeoman service of the organisation to lend them moral support. The visit was led by MESL general secretary Buam Myrchiang, who was accompanied by Lt Col (retd) Sebastian Marbaniang and other former soldiers Jedro Thabah and Grantis Basaiawmoit.
They visited Sarshon Lyngdoh, who is a veteran of three conflicts – 1962 Sino-Indian War, 1965 Indo-Pakistan War and 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The retired soldier is still keeping good health even at 94 years old.
They also met Lot Singh Wahlang, who fought in the 1971 Bangladesh War too. He is now 80 years old.
Others who were visited included former Navyman Galvest Reenbohn (90), Drowell Nongspung (93) and Pritina Wahlang, mother of martyr Paul Walter Wahlang, who was killed by militants in Kashmir in 2002.
The purpose of these visits is to encourage retired soldiers who have made tremendous sacrifices to serve the nation, even to the extent of losing their lives. The MESL also helps veterans and their next of kin with the process of applying for pensions and other benefits.
