A life membership in the Royal Canadian Legion was presented to Comrade Norman J. Salive during a Veterans’ luncheon and honours and awards ceremony at the Sylvan Lake branch, last Thursday which was attended by about 45 people.
Salive enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces in 1942 at the age of 17 years and served in England and France. He was wounded in France and subsequently discharged in 1946 as a consequence of his injury.
He joined the Canadian Legion of the British Empire Service League (B.E.S.L.), the forerunner to the Royal Canadian Legion, in 1957 as a member of Tilbury, Ontario Branch No. 206 and has maintained his membership in the Legion through the succeeding 55 years.
In 1997 Salive transferred his membership to Sylvan Lake Branch No. 212. Here he served as a member of the executive committee, the colour party, volunteered extensively at branch functions, in branch operations, Legion sports and all aspects of the Poppy campaign. He was twice presented with Letters of Commendation for his branch involvement.
In 2011 the branch presented Salive with a Certificate of Merit and the Branch Service Medal in recognition of his contributions.
Salive participated in the 50th and 65th anniversaries for the liberation of Holland during trips overseas.
“At the age of 88, declining health, and injuries as a consequence of his military service, are limiting his Legion participation to activities such as school visitations during the Remembrance Period, participating in Remembrance Day services, attending military anniversaries, general meetings and branch social functions,” said President Steve Dills, while making the presentation.
During the event a number of other volunteers were recognized with honours.
Comrade Reta Coubrough was presented with a Branch Service Medal in recognition of her contribution to the branch in the form of volunteer hours far in excess of any formal position held within the branch.
Certificates of Merit were presented to Ladies’ Auxiliary members Dorothy Boomer, Evelyn Crawford, Kathie Duncan, Joyce Ilcisin, Muriam Jaffray and Thelma Pauquette. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Comrades Durward Duncan, Gerald Jaffray, and Madames Kathie Duncan, Bonnie Olson, Wanda Olson, Gil Pubanz and Marie Schlahs.
A Past Office Medal with Membership Bar was presented to membership chairperson Darcee Medin.