Good news, everyone! As a result of the announcement last week by the Ontario government, the Walkerton Legion is now permitted to reopen. The executive thanks you for your continued support and they hope to see you at the branch starting again on Monday, Jan. 31. Regular hours are Monday to Friday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Be sure to follow the same protocols previously in place. Stay safe, everyone.
Another piece of good news –Catch the Ace will be starting again! During the last round, the jackpot was $27,871. Weekly tickets go on sale next Monday (Jan. 31) at the Legion, through the Kinsmen Club of Walkerton and the Walkerton and District Optimist Club, plus our community vendors: Brown’s Guardian Drugs, Holst’s Office Supplies (Walkerton), Walkerton Foodland, Kaufman’s Your Independent Grocer and Cargill Variety. The first week’s draw will take place on Sunday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m.
I was reading about the fire at the Hepworth Legion and all that was lost: building, memorabilia, community facility and more. Such a sad loss for that area. I’m sure our executive is considering how best to help that branch. Your membership supports your own Walkerton Legion. Join now or renew today – online, by mail, or in person at the Legion next week.
Canada’s own version of the Victoria Cross was created in 1993, but not one has ever been awarded. Retired General Rick Hillier had asked the public to participate in awarding the Victoria Cross “to a soldier or soldiers whom you judge deserving.” Valour in the Presence of the Enemy, a non-profit group of Afghanistan veterans and others, including Hillier, researched 10 recipients of the Military Star of Valour, the nation’s second-highest military decoration. They are now campaigning to have the Canadian Forces Decoration Advisory Committee reopen the file of Jess Larochelle MSV and consider upgrading his decoration to a Canadian Victoria Cross. Read CBC’s article about Larochelle by typing “Private’s actions were superhuman” into Google. You can also lend your support by signing the petition at https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-3636.
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Jan Briggs-McGowan is a member of the Walkerton Legion. Her column appears here weekly.
