ESTEVAN - The Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion saluted the contributions of many of its members during its annual Vimy Awards Night Saturday night.
Pins were presented in affiliate, associate, ordinary and life member categories.
In the affiliate category, the recipients were as follows: Timothy Sieben and Colleen Jensen for five years; Marvin Paulson for 20 years; and William Baryluk, Albert Petrash, J. McKelkie, George McGillicky, W. Orsted, Gary Hirsch, A. Kish, J. Kish, A. Dougherty and R. Audet.
For associate status, Robert Kitchen, Burt Blondeau, Lionel Bender, Jim Maley, Dianne Allen, Cheryl Andrist, Kim Ball, Angela Clements, Chris McIntyre, Warren Ross, Robert Wilhelm and Clinton Schlapkohl were saluted for five years of service.
Jim (Frosty) Forrest, Willie Forrest, Connie St. Onge, Marlene Grube, Heather McKinnon and Mark Panteluk have 10 years of service. Ed Schell, Frank John and Theresa Densley were lauded for 20 years.
George Parrish, Lenora Wanner, John Fedyk, Kenneth Harris, Dennis Kendall, Gary St. Onge, Clarence Durr and Margery Gingras were recognized for 25 years with the Legion.
David Bachorcik has been a member for 30 years; H. Perkins, E. Skjerpen, L. Wanner and P. Marcotte for 35 years; Mel Murray, D. Cairns and H. George for 40 years; and David Dukart and Ray Walton for 45 years.
Ordinary members recognized were David Elliott for five years; Elmer Vicary and David Bannatyne for 20 years; D. Rogowski for 40 years; Howard Donaghy and Bill Kapiczowski for 50 years; Duane Bill for 55 years; and Charlie Gessner for 60 years.
Life members saluted were: Alice Dukart and Vince McGillicky for 25 years; Al Fellner, Leonard Grube and Dave Laing for 35 years; John Gulak, Lyle Dukart, Sharren Dukart and Richard Marcotte for 40 years; and Jim Spenst for 70 years.
Certificates of appreciation were presented during the evening to Golden West Broadcasting, Aaron Dukart and the schools in Estevan.
Certificates of merit went to John Greenhough and Gloria Leitch.
The event is named after the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and Saturday marked the 105th anniversary of the start of the battle. It spanned from April 9-12, 1917, and saw Canadian forces dislodge the Germans from Vimy, a key strategic point in northeast France.
Canadian forces succeeded after those from France and Great Britain did not, and the victory is viewed by historians as Canada’s coming of age as a nation.
Local military historian Craig Bird, who founded the Southeast Military Museums, discussed the local impact of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He had held an informative session on the battle earlier in the day.
Mayor Roy Ludwig and Estevan MLA Lori Carr addressed the crowd during the banquet.
