LITTLE CURRENT—Dignitaries and officials of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 gathered at the Legion hall on November 1 to recognize the long years of service to veterans provided by their members.
Legion President Lt. (N) Maggie King officiated the evening’s ceremonies, presenting pins to those members in attendance and recognizing those whose advanced years precluded accepting their honours in person.
Life members Ed Kift (70 years), Allan Tustian (68 years), Humphrey Beaudin (65 years), Joseph Williamson (29 years) and Oliver Willart (15 years) were especially recognized during the evening.
Ordinary members of the Legion receiving five-year pins included Carmen Laidley, John McMurray and Tim Nevillis. Twenty-five year pins were presented to Blair Sullivan, Gary Trimmer, Mike Easton and Keith Wellstead.
Associate members Justin Buswah and Len McCoy received five-year pins. Ten-year pins were presented to Gary Green and Matthew Jordinson. Fifteen-year pins were presented to Norris Nevillis and Brian Morrison, while 20-year pins were presented to Maxine Ferguson, Cecile Migwans, Joanne Thurston and Richard Thurston.
Quarter century pin recipients included J. W. Ferguson, Kevin Hutchinson and Rick Steer and 30-year pins were awarded to Heather Hutchinson and Terrence Hari. A 35-year pin was awarded to Chris Dunlop.
In addition to the long service recognition awards, special medals and bars were awarded to members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 177 whose service has included exemplary efforts in a number of offices. Those awards included Public Relations presented to Roy Eaton, the Youth and Education Medal and Bar to Marcel Gauthier and Sue Morin for her work as Poppy Chair. Georgina Lovelace was honoured for her work as 3rd vice president and Jeff Marshall was recognized for his work as Membership Chair.
“It’s been a long time, 50 years,” smiled Mr. Marshall when he was asked to say a few words about his service with the Legion. “I remember the night I was installed, it was in Brampton. I was there twice and the next time I got there they had a pin for me. They told me ‘you look so good I guess we are going to keep you’,” he laughed.
Following the awards and recognition, those assembled tucked into a light luncheon prepared by the Women’s Auxiliary.
