Legion Branch 425 Annual Awards Ceremony

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 425 (Hollowood Branch) in Sharbot Lake is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, on the 100th anniversary of the founding of Royal Canadian Legion organization. There was a lot to celebrate at the Sharbot Lake Legion on May 30th this year, at the annual Honours and Awards afternoon

Branch President Connie Mclellan started things off on a high note, outlining all of the ways the Legion is an integral part of the local community, and is integral to the lives of its members. And on a sunny, warm summer like day, the packed Legion was a testament to how much the legion members care about supporting the local branch.

Among the special awards that were given out on the day, one that came as a surprise to the recipient, was a well-earned lifetime membership award for the long time Branch President, June Crawford, who continues to be active on a regional Legion level.

Among the most poignant award was a volunteer award for Linda Bush, who died early this week. Linda came to help out as recently as the Friday before she died, when she was sent home because she was clearly not well. This week’s Friday Night dinner had been canceled to formally mark her passing.

And the ceremony was also the occasion for the presentation of 4 quilts of Valour. Quilts Of Valour are specially made by Quilts of Valour quilting groups, in this case a group from Westport, to present to a Legion member who served in the armed forces.

Cait Mulroney from the Westport group was on hand for the presentations. She said that the idea for the Quilts is for there to be a real token of appreciation, kind of a hug from the nation, for people who have provided this unique servive to the country.

There were four quilts presented on this occasion. A fifth recipient, Kevin Hannah, was not on hand to receive his, and he will get it at a later date.