LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR Judith Guichon expressed her appreciation to local veterans at a dinner at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13 Feb. 23.
Guichon, the Queen’s representative in British Columbia, told veterans that is has been “an honour to spend time with gentlemen like you and learn about your experiences.”
She said that last year “Remembrance Day took on a special poignancy” because of the murders of Canadian soldiers in Ottawa and Quebec.
“Even here in Canada the effects of war have infiltrated into our national psyche,” Guichon continued. “And although many in Canada prefer to be known for our peacekeeping efforts, in today’s world we cannot ignore the increased terrorism and brutality that’s rampant in some areas of this world, and our troops are once again deployed in far off lands as we join our allies in the battle against injustice and tyranny.”
The legion holds monthly dinners for veterans and moved the date of this one so the Lieutenant-Governor could meet with them.
Terrace Mayor Carol Leclerc with husband Roger and Branch 13 president Ray Hallock and his wife Bernadette Hallock were at the head table with Guichon. Also present and dressed in his ceremonial red serge uniform was Inspector Dana Hart, the commander of the Terrace RCMP detachment.
Guichon is currently on a northern tour and also visited other locations in Terrace during her stop here on Feb. 23 and 24, including the Terrace Public Library and Skeena Middle School.
“Her original plan was just to stop in and visit the legion and when we heard about that plan I thought it would be possible to invite her to the veteran’s dinner, and she was gracious enough to accept,” said Hallock of the monthly dinner date adjustment.
He added that the event was important.
“It’s exciting for the legion, because for one thing she is the representative of the queen. And the legion is honour-bound to the sovereign of the nation which is the reigning queen so that part is exciting. And from the perspective of the Terrace legion it’s exciting to have a person of that high rank come and join us at one of our vet’s dinners where we honour surviving veterans,” said Hallock.
