Lacombe Legion hosts successful ‘Vimy Night/Honours and Awards’ event

It was a quite distinctive night right here in Lacombe just lately of honouring neighborhood and Legion members in addition commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

“It was our once-a-year Vimy Evening/Honours and Awards party for our Legion, and of course, we incorporate it with Vimy Night which (commemorates) the Battle of Vimy Ridge (April 9 to 12, 1917) which was a wonderful accomplishment for Canada but arrived at a good expense as well,” stated Kathy Hobbs, past president of the govt of Royal Canadian Legion Lacombe Department #79.

“A spotlight of our evening was also honouring a single of our members – Neil Kennedy. He’s a 91-12 months-previous Chilly War veteran,” she stated. “He’s been a 64-calendar year member of Legions throughout Canada but he’s ours now! So he also acquired a standing ovation for his participation in the Legion.

“We also honoured company sponsors Brian and Debbie Williams for their group involvement via the Veterans Voices of Canada Flags of Remembrance,” she reported.

This distinctive celebration has been operate in Lacombe for two several years now – very last tumble, 128 flags were place up alongside Hwy. 12 in front of Pentagon Farm Centre which is owned by the Williams.

“The Legion built Brian an honourary member and offered him with a certificate of appreciation as nicely,” reported Hobbs.

Yet another highlight was recognizing regional youth from Lacombe, Bentley and Blackfalds who experienced taken element in the once-a-year Poster and Literary Contest

Very last drop, pupils in Grades 1 by 12 ended up invited to submit their inventive functions, with a concentration on remembrance, through their regional schools to be entered into Legion Branch contests.

There are four classes – most important students (Grades 1-2) junior (Grades 4-6) intermediate (Grades 7-8) and senior (higher university).

Hobbs spelled out that the poster contest is divided into two types: color and black and white even though the literary contest is divided into two types: essay and poem.

Entries are submitted at the branch stage and successful entries progress to the provincial and then the national amount.

Cheques have been presented out for initially, second and third placement, she claimed.

“It’s normally about remembrance it is their interpretation of what they have discovered,” she explained, introducing that judging the entries is normally an inspiring and worthwhile method as nicely.

“We experienced an frustrating reaction this year.”

She also famous that in her congratulatory message to all those who took component, she pointed out that it is all the more significant for the reason that the youth are expressing by themselves artistically about matters they haven’t expert.

“Our Assistant District Commissioner experienced tears when he spoke to the pupils.

“He mentioned, ‘Keep on crafting and keep on undertaking what you are doing’. We want to continue on to really encourage participation for the reason that we should never forget the sacrifices that have been created,” she reported.

Awards ended up also handed down to Legion users which includes George Thesen for 15 several years of provider and Jack Wallace for 45 a long time of company, claimed Hobbs.

“I also gave out certificates of appreciation and Department services medals to those people members who have gone around and previously mentioned (in services).”

The night also provided a land acknowledgement and smudging ceremony with Elder Daryl Lickers of Blackfalds and a tasty meal by area caterer Bob Ronnie, she explained, adding that army cadets from Crimson Deer and air cadets from Ponoka had been also in attendance.

“I was stunned at the participation and thankful for the switch-out of the persons who came out to celebrate the achievements of their comrades and the pupils. I was so grateful,” she claimed, including that themes of remembrance definitely seem to be to resonate in Lacombe and other lesser communities in certain.

“The lesser communities in fact gave a great deal,” she explained, referring to younger people who signed up for responsibility over the a long time.

“We have remarkable support due to the fact their youngsters, grandchildren and excellent-grandchildren continue to typically stay listed here. Somewhere in their life, they have listened to the spouse and children conversing about how grandpa went to war, for case in point.

“So it’s the Legion’s way – which is why we are in this article – to continue to keep the reminiscences of these sacrifices alive,” mentioned Hobbs. “I don’t want us to have apathy about our record in Canada.”