Image credit: Dept of National Defence
It’s International Women’s Day
It’s a global day to recognize and celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. It’s also a time to highlight the progress made in advancing women’s rights and the ongoing efforts needed to ensure their full participation in all aspects of society.
The Canadian Encyclopedia also has a good article on women in the Canadian Armed Forces - serving since 1885.
It’s World Hearing Day.
By encouraging individuals to recognize the importance of ear and hearing health, World Hearing Day aims to inspire people to change behaviour to protect their hearing from loud sounds and prevent hearing loss, check their hearing regularly, use hearing devices if needed, and support those living with hearing loss. Empowered individuals can drive change within themselves and in society at large.
Veterans Affairs Canada has more information and, remember that Branch Service Officers along with Provincial Command support are also there to help Veterans navigate claims.
The Gulf War of the early 1990s was a struggle that is well-known to many. More than 4,000 Canadian Armed Forces members served in the Persian Gulf region in 1990-1991 as part of the international Coalition of countries that came together to drive the invading forces of Iraq out of Kuwait. In the aftermath of the conflict, Canadians would continue to serve with peacekeeping and embargo-enforcement efforts in the region for several years.
On this day, 28 February, we remember our Forces service and sacrifice in the Gulf War.
Full details can be read at Veterans Canada
Image credits: Department of National Defence ISC90-5050 and Legion Magazine
The month of February gives us all the chance to celebrate the diversity and achievements of Black people in Canada. However, it is also a time to reflect on Canada's painful history and the distinct challenges that Black people in Canada continue to face in their daily lives, such as systemic barriers, racism and discrimination.
Many Black Canadians have served in the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and continue to do so. At Maple Ridge Legion we acknowledge and celebrate their service to our country.
Photographs: Serviceman in the First World War. Canadian War Museum, George Metcalf Archival Collection
Legion Member Cheryl Moore's grandfather served in World War I as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces. William James Taylor was wounded on June 1, 1916, invalided out and returned to Canada in May 1919. He died in 1942 and is buried at the Mt Royal Cemetery in Montreal, QC.
Cheryl made the trip to Belgium to experience the battlefields, the cemeteries, memorials and museums in remembrance of her grandfather and wanted to share some of her reminders of an emotional visit.
You can read more about Hill 62 (Santuary Wood) on the Veterans Canada website
If you live in Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows and would like to share a story and images of a Veteran of any age, please contact us, we want the act of Remembrance to live on.
