The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 has announced the return of its Veteran of the Week Program for the third consecutive year.
The program, which honours the service and sacrifices of veterans, will run for a span of ten weeks this year, featuring ten remarkable veterans from various branches of service and eras.
John Griffin, the Public Relations Officer for Branch 56 of the Royal Canadian Legion, explained how the program will work this year.
“It will be a mix of researched and submitted veterans, just like how it always has been,” he stated. “We're hoping for more submitted veterans this year. In an effort to make that happen, we once again have expanded the criteria for submissions”
Veterans from any branch of service and any era are eligible, provided they have a Saskatchewan connection.
"People can submit their own write-ups or submit information, and a write-up can be done for them," Griffin elaborated.
The write-ups will be published on the Branch 56 website and Facebook page, as well as added to the prestigious Veteran of the Week Program Binder, which holds a place of honour in the 209th Room, also known as the Branch 56 Museum.
A fresh addition to this year's program is the issuance of keepsake certificates to those who submit veterans. This will replace the video profiles that were created previously, due to time constraints.
The certificates will commemorate each featured veteran and dedicate the respective week to their memory.
Griffin shared that the selection process for the program is fairly straightforward.
"When it comes to choosing them, it's just whoever's the next one, they just go in the order that they're submitted," he explained.
While preference is given to submitted nominations, Griffin has taken it upon himself to research and honour veterans when submissions are limited.
The Veteran of the Week Program serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and the enduring legacy of their service.
“It's important just to recognize those who served and to tell the stories of our veterans,” Griffin emphasized. “And that's really what the Royal Canadian Legion is about, is telling the stories of our veterans and educating the public on their service and the events that they took part in. That way we never forget the service and sacrifice that these men and women did for our country.”
"It's important just to recognize those who served and to tell the stories of our veterans," Griffin emphasized.
Individuals interested in participating are encouraged to submit veteran nominations to Royal Canadian Legion Branch 56 at rclbranch56sc@gmail.com
The program will commence on September 4 and continue until November 11, coinciding with Remembrance Day.
Access news anytime and anywhere. Download our Swift Current Online app HERE.