Family recognized for military service stands together

It is a way for those who have served in the Canadian Forces to be recognized for their service to our country, even when they are in plain clothes.

The Lieutenant Governor’s Military Service Pin was launched in November of 2013 and on Wednesday three family members from La Ronge proudly received the distinguished symbol.

Brothers Corporal Jack Hennie of the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and Sergeant Eric Hennie of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Third Battalion were joined by their father, Irwin Hennie, a veteran of the Canadian Signal Corps in La Ronge to receive their pin from the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, the Honourable Vaughn Solomon Schofield.

“It’s good to be recognized,” said Jack, “You go throughout Canada and everywhere else, and people ask you what you do, you tell them what you do and everyone is positive about it.”

“It’s an honour and a privilege, it doesn’t happen too often where family can receive the same recognition,” said Eric. “Especially in your home town, for me it was quite the experience.”

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And being able to stand with his two sons, Irwin said it was a proud moment for him.

“It’s kind of emotional, it’s great,” said Irwin. “It’s a great experience a great feeling inside.”

All the Hennie’s signed up due to Irwin’s father who served in the Second World War.

“My grandfather was in World War II my father was in the military,” said Jack. “It’s just a natural stepping stone for myself, I wanted to leave town and that was one of my options for leaving, so I joined the military.”

Eric said seeing his brother and family go in that direction led him to go the same way.

Irwin said thinking about his father, he knows he would be proud looking back at his son and grandsons.

“He’d probably have tears in his eyes with pride,” said Irwin. “He’d be very proud.”

Both brothers have seen tours in Kandahar, Afghanistan, and Jack was also in Bosnia in 1992 and 1993.

Irwin had some tours of his own.

“I was in the Middle East for a year in the United Nations Emergency force in ’63 and ’64,” said Irwin. “I spent two years in Germany with NATO Force.”

 Speaking about his own experience, Eric said it changed him.

“That was an eye-opener for my life right there,” Eric said. “It makes you appreciate what you have back home, seeing how these kids live.”

Jack agreed it makes you appreciate what you have back home.

Speaking about the family being honoured together, one representative with the Lieutenant Governor said it was very special for their office.

“This was a memorable day for us because it involved two generations of a wonderful family who is committed to the military and to serving our country and keeping it safe,” said Heather Salloum, executive director of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan. “Her Honour is very proud of them and wants to participate in thanking them for their service.”

In a release the Governor General said the pin was created to recognize military members from all walks of life.

“I created the pin to honour current and former members of our military, and police officers who have served in the military operations, for the sacrifices they have made to serve our nation,” said the Lieutenant Governor. “When these Canadian heroes are in civilian clothing, people simply don’t know what they’ve done for the world; we hope this lapel pin will identify them to the public so that we can all express our thanks to them.”

“We’ve distributed about 6,000 of them so far,” said Salloum, “All the information is on our website and people can actually apply for the pin on our website and we can send it to them if we can’t facilitate a presentation.”

Both Hennie brothers and their father said they will wear their pins with pride whenever they are not in uniform.

The ceremony was held at Churchill School at 2 p.m.

jbowler@panow.com

On Twitter: @journalistjim