Legion Week underway in Amherstburg - long-time members honoured
Legion members were honoured with pins and medals for their years of service and length of membership to Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 (left) while a ceremony was held Saturday morning at the start of Legion Week (right). Photo at left by Ron Giofu, photo at right submitted.
Legion Week started last weekend and continues throughout the rest of this week into this coming weekend.
Rain played a part in the start of Legion Week, as rain last Saturday caused the cancellation of the parade. An opening ceremony was still held Sept. 19 inside Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157.
“The Legion is near and dear to me,” said Annette Knight, the Legion’s 1st vice president.
Knight explained that her uncle was a POW and her father-in-law and husband both served in the military. She said the number of those who served are getting less and less every year so she was happy to see the crowd they did get come to the Legion.
The current generation have to educate the younger generations, Knight added. Knight said she heads up youth education at the Amherstburg Legion branch.
“Canadians are very proud and we will not stand for any injustice,” said Knight.
Mayor Michael Prue was also on hand, as he recounted the history of the Legion and why he became a member. He said when he became mayor of East York, he was approached by members of Legion Br. 10 who said all previous mayors had been members of the branch.
From there, Prue called his father who was a veteran and got his service number so Prue could join the Legion himself. Prue recalled his father, who served in north Africa and all over Europe, knew his service number right off the top of his head.
“I went in and became a member and it was a very proud moment,” he said.
Prue added when he and wife Shirley came to Amherstburg, they were immediately welcomed at Legion Br. 157.
“We come to as many events as we can,” he said.
The town embraces Legion Br. 157, he added, with several initiatives coming in recent years including the veteran banners, poppies on street signs bearing veterans’ names, the crosswalk along Dalhousie St. at Murray St. and the designation of a portion of Dalhousie St. as “Veterans Way.”
“People everywhere should recognize the work of the Legion,” he said. “It is important to keep the memories alive.”
Legion Week helps shine a light on local Legions and show what they do in the community. Membership pins and medal presentations were held last Sunday and a veterans coffee “Buddy Chat” was Monday. Branch veterans ate for free on “Tasty Tuesday.”
Capt. Ernie Gazdig CD, a member of the Legion executive and membership chair, said people show their support by attending the Legion. He helped present the pins and medals Sunday along with other executive members and told those in attendance “we need you to be our ambassadors in the community” and invite friends and family in.
Upcoming events this week include a speaker event Wednesday from 1-1:45 p.m. featuring Amherstburg Freedom Museum assistant curator Irene Moore Davis. Moore Davis will be speaking on the No. 2 Construction Battalion that served in World War I.
Thursday features chair yoga at 10:30 a.m. and a chicken dinner from 3-6 p.m. while Friday sees the fish fry from 3-6 p.m. and karaoke at 7 p.m. This Saturday (Sept. 26) sees euchre at 12:30 p.m., craft club at 1 p.m. and live music on the patio from 6-10 p.m. Events this Sunday (Sept. 27) include a Ladies Auxiliary dinner dance with a roast beef dinner from 5-6 p.m. at a $16 cost. Live music on the patio runs from 1-5 p.m.
Legion Week underway in Amherstburg - long-time members honoured
By Ron Giofu
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