King meets with military retirees on Veterans Day

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday expressed pride in military retirees, noting that they always raise Jordanians’ morale.

At a meeting with a group of retired servicemen and women held at the Royal Hashemite Court to mark Veterans Day, King Abdullah commended the role of military retirees and their service in defence of the homeland, and in countering challenges during the state’s first centennial, according to a Royal Court statement.

At the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty highlighted the important role of military retirees in society, calling for supporting them the way they supported the nation.

The director of the Economic and Social Association of Retired Servicemen and Veterans, Ismael Shobaki, gave a briefing on the association’s services, noting that there are over 220 agreements to employ military retirees in public and private institutions, whereby around 10,400 male and female retirees are hired for up to four years.

Shobaki noted an increase in the number of association members over the past year, from 83,000 to 93,000.

A number of military retirees spoke at the meeting, expressing their pride in and dedication to the Hashemite leadership.

They stressed their readiness to support their brothers in arms serving in the army and security agencies.

Speakers also expressed appreciation for the ongoing outreach by His Majesty and Crown Prince Hussein to hear from military retirees.

Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef  Huneiti, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni and Public Security Directorate Director Maj. Gen. Obaidallah Maaytah attended the meeting.