Veterans Appreciation Dinner held at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 157

Veterans gather for a group photo at last Sunday evening’s Veterans Appreciation Dinner.

Veterans from Amherstburg and surrounding areas were honoured Sunday night at a dinner in their honour.

For the second consecutive year, Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 hosted a Veterans Appreciation Dinner right before Remembrance Day.

Approximately 128 meals were ordered with 102 people in attendance at the Amherstburg Legion Sunday night, with some meals delivered to veterans’ homes, and to Seasons Amherstburg and Richmond Terrace Long-Term Care Home.

The dinner was open to not just veterans who are members of Legion Br. 157, but any veteran who wanted to come in and enjoy a meal.

Mayor Michael Prue recalled his youth when his father would talk about his wartime experiences and what he did in serving his country. Prue said it made him think of what it means to be a veteran, seeing comrades lost and what wartime conflict looks lie.

Prue added he watched a show on CBC where a knapsack was found and it belonged to a soldier who served in Italy and Holland. The mayor added it had meaning for him because that soldier, who never made it home, served in many of the same towns as his father did. He thanked all veterans for their service to Canada and to freedom.

“It’s very difficult when you know that yourself or your colleagues may not come home,” he said.

Prue extended his personal gratitude and that of the town to the veterans.

“You made our country and our community of Amherstburg a very special place,” he said. “You guys are my new heroes.”

Royal Canadian Legion Fort Malden Br. 157 president Shawn Wilkie was honoured to see a large turnout at the dinner. Also calling them heroes, Wilkie said it was an honour to have them be at the Legion for the event.

Wilkie added it is not just the veterans themselves who are impacted when they serve, but their families as well. 

“Thank you for your service,” he said. “Thank you to the families who supported those people.”

Wilkie added he was at a loss for words to express how he feels in speaking with those who served and what it means to him.

“There are many of you who have touched me in many ways,” he said.

Capt. Ernie Gazdig CD had his remarks read by Capt. Jeff Turner, the latter serving as master of ceremonies. Gazdig’s remarks honoured the men and women who have served not just in the Canadian military, but allied forces as well.

“We are being welcomed and honoured by this great Legion, which many of us call home,” Gazdig’s remarks stated.

There is a bond many veterans share, he added, and he thanked them and the Legion for their service.

As part of the dinner, a table was set up in a place of honour, with a plate with only salt and a lemon on it, a vase with one rose and no chair. It symbolized those who never made it home and the anguish their families suffered at losing them. 

Veterans Appreciation Dinner held at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 157

By Ron Giofu