Holding a luncheon to honour veterans is important since it allows them to socialize with friends and spend time in a place other than their homes, a legion executive member says.
More than 70 people attended the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59’s fifth annual luncheon on Sept. 18. The theme for this year focused on Canadians peacekeepers who have served with the United Nations since the 1960s.
There are not many veterans left from the Second World War or the Korean War, but there are many who served during the Cold War on peacekeeping operations, said poppy chairman Bob Travale, 72, who served 35 years in the military and retired in Moose Jaw as an air traffic controller.
“It’s good to get them out. This year regretfully we didn’t get that many out of the seniors’ homes, but that’s what we’re trying to do … (is) get rid of the monotony and get them to meet old friends,” he added.
It’s amazing to have veterans come together since they can share their stories for hours about what they’ve done, added the legion’s Chris Simpson. She noted there were some veterans in the crowd who served in the Second World War, Vietnam, Bosnia, the Middle East and Afghanistan.
“It’s such an awesome place to be on this day,” she added.
“Honesty and integrity, that’s what I took from (military service),” Travale said. “A lot is common sense (and) logic. It’s all it takes to survive in the military … Just do your job every day, show a little bit of initiative and you can be promoted.”
Simpson served in the Canadian Forces for 28 years as a dental hygienist. She spent time in the Persian Gulf War and served in Europe and Canada. She joked that it was a good time in the Persian Gulf; she served on the HMCS Protecteur for six months meeting the dental needs of personnel.
“It’s an adventure. It’s not a career, it’s a life,” she added.
Army veteran Jim MacNeil, 81, wore his best bow tie and white dress shirt as he served drinks to the attendees. He thought holding the luncheon was a great idea and felt privileged to serve his fellow comrades. He joked that he offered to work behind the bar to give it some class.
“It’s a nice tribute. I don’t think there are (any) Second World War vets here. We had some last year. But all these guys (here) spent their time (and) did their time,” said MacNeil, who served for 31 years in the Royal Canadian Ordinance Corps. “It’s fun. I enjoy (serving). It doesn’t cost anything.”
MacNeil served in Moose Jaw from 1988 until he retired in 1992.
Travale hopes the legion’s luncheon — which originally began as a Christmas banquet — sees an increase in the future. He believes that will happen since there are many veterans in the community who served in the military or the RCMP.
“I just love this,” he added. “I love seeing all the people getting together.”
