New veterans memorial banners go up along Sandwich St. S.

Members of the Deslippe family (Paula Stiles, Glen Deslippe, Eric Deslippe, Mitchelle Deslippe and Paul Deslippe), the Galipeau family (Cathy Bondy and Gail Galipeau) and the Fryer family (Tanya Fryer and Bill Fryer) stand with veterans banners that were put up in memory of family members. The banners were installed last Thursday along Sandwich St. S.

A number of local veterans are being remembered thanks to new banners that have been installed in Amherstburg.

Veterans banners have gone up along Sandwich St. S., starting at the corner of North St. and Sandwich St. S. and finishing up near the public works yard in the 500 block. 

The project was initiated by Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157.

Paul Deslippe was surrounded by his family last Thursday morning watching as crews from the town and Hicks Electric put up the banner for his wife, Cpl. Anna J. Gibson-Deslippe.

The couple met while serving in France, with Anna being a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). She served as a radar commander, with her six-year military career being in France and Canada. She was in France from 1952-58.

“It’s a great honour for my wife,” said Deslippe.

“It’s a proud moment for our family to see mom on a banner on the main street of the town,” added daughter Paula Stiles.

Other family members in attendance last Thursday morning included Eric Deslippe, Glen Deslippe and Mitchell Deslippe.

Cathy Bondy and Gail Galipeau were also on hand to watch their father’s banner go up. Edmond W. “Bouncer” Galipeau served as a driver and a mechanic in France during World War II.

“He served for two years,” said Bondy. “He didn’t have to go.”

Part of his duties was retrieving bodies, something that took its toll on their father.

“That was a hard job,” said Bondy.

They were happy to see the banners go up and look forward to seeing Galipeau’s picture for as long as the banners stay up, which is expected to be through Remembrance Day.

“I can’t wait to see my dad every day,” said Bondy.

Bill Fryer and daughter Tanya got a look at two banners that were put up in memory of family members. Robert Isaac Fryer was a Private with the 87^th Battalion Infantry Quebec Regiment in World War I while Wilfred John Fryer Jr. was a Trooper with the Manitoba Dragoons Armour Corps in World War II. 

The former is Bill’s uncle while the latter is Bill’s father, with Bill adding his father’s brother also fought in World War II. He added that he found out about the initiative through Laurie Fryer Cavanaugh, a past president of Legion Br. 157.

Other members of the Fryer family have also fought in times of war, he pointed out with family members having been in the Korean War and Vietnam War. 

Among the other heroes acknowledged on veterans banners this year include M. Crimmins Shaw, Cpl. Russel J. Fox, John (Jack) Purdie, Ilo (Dugan) Purdie, John Alan Auld Mallett, James F. Fox, Orville Leland Fox, Malcom John Shaw, William Russell Fox, Private Ralph E. Mayville, Gnr. Alphonse J. Cote, Sgt. Lucien Valade, Wilfred Robert Knight, Private Robert W. Friars, Francis A. Bezaire, Edward Nelse Mackay, Evelyn Williams and Donald Henry, Dwight Jones and Private Garnet Hilton.

New veterans memorial banners go up along Sandwich St. S.

By Ron Giofu