Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157 received a gift and was the site of a special presentation, all to remember those who have served.
The Legion’s general meeting last Thursday night saw a Quilt of Valour presented followed by the official presentation of a plaque commemorating those who served in World War II.
The latest Quilt of Valour was presented to Wayne Hurst, with Hurst being joined by family and friends as he was presented his new quilt by Quilts of Valour Windsor-Essex County representative Pauline Gaudette.
Hurst served eight years in the Canadian Navy. He was released from HMCS New Waterford/HMCS Outremont. He is also a lifetime member of Royal Canadian Legion Br. 157.
Following his service in the Canadian Navy, Hurst would go on to spend a number of years in municipal politics. He served as Mayor of Amherstburg from 1997-2000 and again from 2003-14.
Gaudette showed Hurst the maple leaf in one corner of the quilt, pointing out three people had a hand in making it. She also went over the background of Quilts of Honour, noting Lezley Zwaal started it in the Edmonton area in 2006. Zwaal would visit hospitals in her area and present them quilts to comfort veterans.
Since becoming a registered national charity in 2009, Gaudette pointed out over 25,000 quilts have been presented nationwide.
The Amherstburg Legion also received a plaque from Joe Shaw and his family. Shaw said they he visits various Legion branches in Essex County and noticed plaques in the Legion around the area pointing out those the community lost in times of war.
Joined by son Kyle and daughter Jaclyn Blackburn, the presentation from Shaw was made as part of last Thursday night’s meeting.
Shaw said there is a World War I plaque at Br. 157, but wanted a World War II plaque there also.
“We thought it would be great to add this to our Legion,” he said. “It was something we thought was important that we should have.”
Shaw added they are the names that are also on the cenotaph in King’s Navy Yard Park.
“These are Amherstburg boys from way back,” said Shaw.
There is a member of his family on the plaque – M. Crimmins Shaw – with that being his grandfather’s brother’s son. Crimmins Shaw was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force and died in the line of duty.
Shaw added his family would have made the presentation whether or not a family member was involved or not.
The induction of new members also took place as part of the meeting. Welcomed as either ordinary or associate members were Michelle Lavin-Faucher, Bruce and Jean Galt, David Prpich, Lynn McLean, Randy Jones, Cheryl Jones, Patricia and Richard Ansell and Tino Riccio.
Plaque donated to Legion Br. 157 and Quilt of Valour awarded
By Ron Giofu
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