Costa Rica NO ARMY SINCE 1948

Written by Michael Simons on November 11, 2019. Posted in Costa Rica Charity, Costa Rica Living, Costa Rica Politics, EX PATS in Costa Rica, FAQ's, Newsletters, Playas del Coco

Costa Rica NO ARMY SINCE 1948.

Our incredible little country of Costa Rica has no army. In 1948, the Defense Minister, Edgar Cardona, proposed the idea, so that more could be spent on education and health care. Jose Figueres, the provisional President at the time, took it to the constitutional assembly, and it was passed.

“We will build an army of Doctors and Teachers.”

Costa Rica leads the Latin American and Caribbean region in health and primary care, and also boasts a 98% literacy rate. The World Health Organization ranks our medical care first in Central America and 36^th in the world. BRAVO.

But we also know that Costa Rica could not survive without an army, especially in a region with so much violence–like Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador–if it was not for the protection provided by our neighbors to the north: the USA and Canada.

So today, on Veteran’s Day, November 11, 2019, we celebrate and thank ALL the veterans around the world. There are many who live here and snow bird here, in our little town of Playas del Coco. They formed a non-profit organization, called The Veteran’s Association of Guanacaste, and they do a tremendous amount of goodwill within the community. There was a huge turnout at Zi Lounge for the pancake breakfast; followed by a Veteran’s Day parade and a Remembrance Ceremony on the beach of Playas del Coco.

Tank Tops Flip Flops was proud to be asked to design a Costa Rica no army shirt that could help raise money to allow the foundation to continue its amazing work.

One of their top priorities, this time of year, is the TOYS FOR TOTS. Last year, we raised a massive quantity of toys, that we donated to the poorest people in our area. Nothing brings a smile to a child’s face like a toy, especially when it might be the only toy, they receive this Christmas. Please bring a new toy to any one of the many donation boxes; there is one at each one of my RE/MAX offices, along with many other locations in town.

If you would like to purchase a shirt, to help raise money, or to donate cash for toy purchases, please write to me personally, and I will be glad to assist.

Thanks everyone, for always supporting our amazing little paradise.