Annual Legion Week ends with award ceremony

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 President Rick Hodgson (right) and 1st Vice President Deanne Riese (left) presents the Legion’s Meritorious Service Award to past president Gary Renaud (center) at the Legion Hall on Friday.

Daily Herald Contributor

The Prince Albert Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 held the Legion Week awards ceremony at the Legion Hall on Friday as the annual Legion Week came to a close.

The Legion used the opportunity to appreciate all the organizations that have partnered with the Legion over the years and also awarded medals and certificates to deserving Legion Members.

“It was really nice to see today,” said Rick Hodgson, president of Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 in Prince Albert. “It’s an important thing for the Legion to see our members get their Pins and Awards. There were some real nice awards given out to people tonight, well deserving and it’s something you have to do to appreciate your members for what they do for the organization.”

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 President Rick Hodgson (left) presents an award honouring the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Normandy and D-Day, accepted by Don Graves (right) at the Legion Hall on Friday. Daily Herald Contributer Photo.


The recipients of the awards and pins ranges from 5 – 50 years of service. The legion also handed out friendship awards, a Media award, and a Meritorious service award, among others.

Hodgson said they appreciated the contributions made by everyone who was recognized.

“The awardees have been here for a long time and stuck with the Legion,” he said. “It’s nice to see them, give them presentations. Hopefully the younger people that are here tonight will see that and look forward to maybe joining themselves and one day getting a pin and a presentation from us too.”

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 1st Vice President Deanne Riese (left) presents the Legionnaire of the Year Award to President Rick Hodgson (right) at the Legion Hall on Friday. Daily Herald Contributor photo.


Gary Renaud who has spent 45 years with the Legion, was given the Meritorious Service Award during Friday’s ceremony. Renaud is a former RCMP officer who previously served as Legion president for three years. He said it’s an honour to be recognized.

“We all appreciate the awards and we are going to keep the Legion going,” Renaud said. “I enjoy the legion. They do a lot of work for everybody and help a lot of people out. Being a member makes me proud.”

Marie Mathers received the Legion’s Life Membership Award for her contributions. Like Renaud, Mathers said the Legion is a great part of the community, and she was honoured by the recognition.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 2 President Rick Hodgson (left) presents the Legion’s Lifetime Membership Award to Marie Mathers (right) at the Legion Hall on Friday. Daily Herald Contributer photo.


“It is humbling because I do things because I enjoy it and not to be rewarded,” Mathers said. “These past 30 years has been wonderful, very exciting. (There are) so many things you can do for humanity.”

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