On August 21, Captain Craig Bird was recognized for his decades of service to the Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Cadet Organization, the Southeast Military Museum, and the Royal Canadian Legion, Estevan Branch 60.
Bird received the King Charles III Coronation Medal during a private ceremony at Government House in Regina, presented by Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre. “Having a little private moment with the Lieutenant Governor is not something that everybody gets to do,” Bird said. “We had a nice sit-down chat with her about the museum and some of the other things I do.”
His commitment to service began in high school, when he joined the Regina Rifles through the primary reserves. “I always wanted to be a police officer, and I thought one of the good avenues was joining the military,” Bird explained. “That kind of spurred things on and kicked things off.”
Through his service, Bird built strong connections with Second World War veterans. He recalled one moment in particular that shaped his passion for collecting and preserving military history. “We were part of something that these guys hadn’t told anybody probably in a good 60 years,” he said. “To be part of that as a young soldier, to hear those stories, just kind of shaped what today is the Southeast Military Museum.”
Bird also spoke about gifting a challenge coin to Her Honour during the medal ceremony. “When you meet dignitaries or they do something for you or you do something for them, it’s just kind of a sign of honor to present them with a coin as a token of thanks or appreciation,” he said. “She’s also one of the honorary patrons for the museum, so I thought it was only right.”
Beyond his museum work, Bird has been a leader with the cadet program in Estevan since 1999 and was promoted to commanding officer in 2007. “On the 9th of September, we start cadets again,” he noted. “We’re looking forward to getting another cadet year underway.”
For those interested in visiting the Southeast Military Museum, Bird says the Legion’s displays are open Monday to Friday during the day, while private tours can be arranged. “If people want to have a private tour, they can contact me either through the website or give me a call,” he said.
Reflecting on his journey, Bird emphasized the importance of sharing veterans’ stories. “I think it’s important to share those stories with others so that they can learn and appreciate what our veterans went through and what they survived and had to live with for a lot of years afterwards.”
The Southeast Military Museum, which Bird founded, remains a cornerstone of his work. Visitors can view artifacts at the Estevan Legion during weekday hours or book private tours through the museum’s website.