RCL Branch No. 39 Hosts Veterans Appreciation Lunch

RCL Branch No. 39 Hosts Veterans Appreciation Lunch

Rosanne Fortier - News Correspondent

Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 39 hosted a Veterans Appreciation Lunch to all veterans and their spouses on November 5.

Service Officer Rhonda Hayduk was the Mistress of Ceremonies.

President, Terry Kuzyk said they were all there to show respect for the veterans’ service and the service

of those we have lost. “Let us as we share this meal and comradeship know that the Royal Canadian Legion is here to support you to make sure the service and sacrifice you have given will never be forgotten.”

L-R. Olga Horon and Winnie Zakordonski. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Some of these veterans who attended were Don Serediak who served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1962 to 1976 during the Cold War.

Bill Soule served in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1968 to 1972, and he was also an Army Cadet Core Officer for 11 years.

Chuck St. Clair served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Canada and Germany during peace time from 1952 to 1972 where he said he experienced some scary times and good times.

Erich Klammer served in the Royal Canadian Artillery from May 1960 to May 1981 where he was stationed in Germany for 10 years during the Cold War.

L-R. Rev. Milton, Legion President, Terry Kuzyk, Mayor of Vegreville, Tim MacPhee, and Cpl. Chulak. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Marlene Podoborzny served in the Royal Canadian Air Force for a short time and she was also a Lieutenant (N) with the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets.

Joyce Stewart served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the Cold War from 1960 to 1962. William McMechan served in the Canadian Navy from 1953 to 1958. Fritz Lydom served as a member of the RCMP all over Alberta.

Some of veterans’ spouses, who were all widows of husbands who served in World War II, included: Olga Horon’s husband, Walter Horon, Winnie Zakordonski’s husband, Nicolas Zakordonski and Olga Osadchuk’s husband John Osadchuk.

Comrade Rod Stewart and Cpl. Arie Chubak gave the toast to fallen comrades where they stated that the table with only one setting in is simple, and it represents the fragility of our comrades in the face of oppression.

Dignitaries and military personnel gave speeches following the luncheon.

Hayduk read comments on behalf of MP Shannon Stubbs, who said, “Every time she walks past the National War Memorial, she cannot help but pause and reflect with sadness for all that was lost but she also feels gratitude for the peace and freedom we enjoy today. To the men and women who have served in the Arm Forces and your families, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Your examples of service and ultimate sacrifice represent to me what it means to be Canadian.”

The table which only had one setting as each item on it is meant to represent something our fallen comrades has or have faced. (Rosanne Fortier/Photo)

Diane Lydom brought greetings on behalf of Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA, Jackie Armstrong- Homeniuk, and said celebrating Veterans Day is an honour. “I feel blessed to thank those who have fought and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice. As the proud and grateful grand daughter of a World War I Veteran and the daughter of a World War II reservist, our family knew first hand of the sacrifices that the soldiers who went overseas as well as the families who were left behind.

There have been too many horrific wars, conflicts and battles since the beginning of time and so many brave soldiers have entered these terrible fields of battle to defend not only our freedoms at home, but the freedoms of countless people who live in different lands.”

Corporal Arie Chubak was the guest speaker. Chubak is from Wainwright. He served as a Mobile Support Equipment Operator and has served for three years in Gagetown, New Brunswick as an Air Defence Artillery member.

“I cannot tell you how amazing it feels to see all of you here. The countless years of experience, the immeasurable amount of sacrifice and the pride and honour of every person in here is truly humbling.

I would like to thank every one of you. For what you have been through, for what you are still going through, and for whatever may come.

I have been serving for almost nine years now. I have had a decent amount of experiences, good ones and bad ones. Ones that have made me feel like a king because I was the only one who could have gotten the job done. And ones that has left me beaten