Shellbrook Legion honoured with quilts to commemorate their service

“I can honestly say that I wish some of my friends who are gone could be there with me to accept such a thing, because they are more deserving of it than I am, but unfortunately they are no longer with us,” said Rudolph.

He was joined by Homer Bator and Henri Dagenais at the ceremony in the Legion.

Earlier in the day three more quilts were given to veterans currently in Shellbrook District Hospital.

George Laberge, Lloyd Lalonde and Harry Bazley are all World War II veterans.

Lalonde had difficulty speaking, but his gratitude was displayed broadly on his face. His eyes were filled with tears as members of the Legion gifted him the quilt.

The program providing the quilts was founded in 2006 in Edmonton. Passionate citizens can donate quilts to the program, signed with their name.

As part of a new Quilts of Valour initiative called Hugs Across the Nation, people can purchase blocks of a quilt and sew it together. That block can then be sent back to Quilts of Valour, where it is mixed in with other blocks received, and put together into a patchwork quilt for veterans.

Quilts of Valour volunteer Shannon McGilvery was on hand to present the quilts.

The wife of a veteran, with many more in her extended family, McGilvery had been looking for a way to do her part when she discovered the organization.

“I could never do what some of these armed forces service people have done, so it’s my little way of giving back,” said McGilvery.

The Legion in Shellbrook has seen a significant decrease in membership in recent years. They amalgamated with the Ladies Auxiliary and lost the Legion band, but Rudolph doesn’t think the community appreciation has flagged.

“The Legion still plays an integral part in the society of Shellbrook,” said Rudolph, “Simply because there are many people around here who believe remembrance is important and that we do have to carry it on.

“In these smaller centres I think it’s every bit as important or even more important than in the bigger centres because the representation is smaller here in the West than in the Canadian East.”

Medals and pins were also given out at the Legion.

Rudolph received the Past President award and a five-year pin.

Lorna Thompson, Anne Gaboury, Homer Bator and Helen Dagenais now have five-year pins on their lapels.

Henri Dagenais received his 10-year pin.

Linda Bator, who has tirelessly volunteered with the Legion for the last three years, was also given a gift for her dedication.

Members of the Legion will next be part of Remembrance Day celebrations on Nov. 11.

ssterritt@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit

by Spencer Sterritt

Shellbrook Legion honoured with quilts to commemorate their service

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