The Town of Sylvan Lake and its employees were presented with a Friendship Award by Sylvan Lake’s Royal Canadian Legion branch Nov. 20.
Mayor Susan Samson accepted the award — a plaque signed by the Legion’s Dominion President — from President Steve Dills, during the general meeting.
The Friendship Award is intended to honour and recognize individuals and organizations who have rendered assistance, service or co-operation to the Legion beyond that which could normally be anticipated or expected.
The citation read during the ceremony by Dills stated:
“It seems that the Town of Sylvan Lake has been supportive of the Royal Canadian Legion in one form or another ever since Sylvan Lake Branch No. 212 received its charter in 1946. It may be no coincidence since the town office and the branch have been situated side-by-side for many years.
“Every year, a number of the branch’s events and activities are either approved, supported or participated in by approval of or by invitation from the town.
“Whether it be a permit application for a special event such as a parade on Canada Day, assistance with traffic control, replacing flags in the Field of Honour at Lakeview Cemetery or canvassing during the Poppy campaign, the Town of Sylvan Lake staff can be counted on to willingly not only assist, but to lead.
“Recently, when the lift mechanism on the flag pole failed in a high wind, a bucket truck with staff arrived at the same time that the new cable did, and the job was done at no cost to the branch — and not for the first time.
“One of the most significant events that the town assists with annually is the Remembrance Day community service. Historically this event took place in a number of smaller venues, all of which were outgrown, and eventually outside, always with the support and participation of the town, until the town offered the use of the original arena more than thirty years ago. Having an indoor service resulted in attendance more than doubling in the first year.
“By 2009, the event outgrew the community centre and the town granted approval to use the Fox Run-Mother Teresa multi-campus school where civic staff assisted with set-up and tear down as if it was their own event.
“In 2011, the town approved moving the event to the Sylvan Lake multiplex. In order to facilitate the event and yet meet other commitments, town staff started work at 2 a.m. to install flooring, set up chairs, modifications to the PA system and every other facet conceivable and twelve hours later, reversed it all when the service was over.
“The above list is only a few of the numerous kinds of support or assistance that one would receive from a friend — or neighbour.”