Lacombe Legion Branch No.79 will be busy this evening with their annual Vimy Night/Honours and Awards Celebration in remembrance of not only the Battle of Vimy Ridge but also the men and women who served during the First World War.
"So, it's a memorial for the Vimy conflict that many of our veterans died in and didn’t come back from, so we always recognize that April 9 and, of course, we combine it with the awards. What's more appropriate than having our Legion members come in and be recognized?" says Kathy Hobbs, president of the Lacombe branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
"Tonight, we will be giving out three 50-year awards, so they’ve done 50 years of service for the Legion, and two 60-year awards," says Hobbs on the service awards being presented.
But this is also a night of awards for the students who took part in the annual Poster and Literary Contest that runs during the November poppy campaign. Students submit their work, and then the process begins.
"We judge them, and then they go on to what we call our district level. Only the first-place ones go on, and they’re judged there. Then, those who go even further go on to what we call command and sometimes to national," explains Hobbs.
"So, this year, we had 11 go on to district, and then one made it all the way to command."
Those students will be welcomed to the Legion tonight, along with their families, and in one case, an entire class will be attending to show support— a first for the Legion, claims Hobbs.
"It gives the children a chance to interact with veterans and to showcase our Legion," Hobbs remarks. "It certainly helps because the children don’t understand. It’s so far removed. World War II, the Korean War, Afghanistan—they’re not aware of it. They’re aware of more current uprisings, but the Legion was formed so that we never forget the sacrifice of anybody who has served."
The evening will feature a feast of prime rib, donated for the event by a Legion member, a clean-up crew provided by the Girl Guides, and, of course, a night of tradition, remembrance, and ceremony.
"It’s a great, great evening, and unfortunately, only once a year," laments Hobbs.
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