Courage Remembered

War veteran Fernand Labrie (centre) was presented with France's highest award, The Legion of Honour, by Nicolas Baudouin (right) the Consul General of France in B.C., at a ceremony at Sunridge Place on Nov. 17. At left is Labrie's daughter Pierrette Morgan. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Vancouver Island veteran receives France’s highest honour

Fernand Labrie presented with The Legion of Honour for services during the war

 

Saanich residents Colin and Joan Nicholson hold up a First World War trench map of Lens, France. It was used by Colin’s grandfather, George, during wartime. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

War stories keep memory of grandfather alive for Saanich man

Career military man George Nicholson served his countries on three continents, in both world wars

 

HMCS Saskatoon arrives in Esquimalt Harbor, B.C., sailing past Fisgard Lighthouse, in an undated DND handout photo. HMCS Saskatoon is one of several vessels taking part in the Remembrance Day sail past. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO, DND MANDATORY CREDIT

Canadian Forces offer Greater Victoria a sail past to mark Remembrance Day

Public encouraged to watch through live stream

 

Kenny Podmore of Royal Canadian Legion Saanich Peninsula Branch 37 holds up one of the 40-plus rocks painted with poppies left at Sidney’s cenotaph. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Avalanche of rocks painted with poppies in Sidney show support for veteran

More than 40 painted rocks left behind on Sidney’s cenotaph

Kenny Podmore of Royal Canadian Legion Saanich Peninsula Branch 37 holds up one of the 40-plus rocks painted with poppies left at Sidney’s cenotaph. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
“Dutchy” John Edwards visiting the Pyramids in Egypt during his time serving in the Mediterranean. (Edwards Family Photo)

The tales of one-time Oak Bay resident Dutchy Edwards

Athlete-turned-commodore once played tennis with King of Sweden

“Dutchy” John Edwards visiting the Pyramids in Egypt during his time serving in the Mediterranean. (Edwards Family Photo)
Veteran Graeme Hafey is looking forward to welcoming veterans and patrons to the U.S Marine Corps tent he’s added outside V2V Black Hops Brewing for tasting, dining, movie nights, and other events. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)

Remembrance Day’s significance not lost on Langford veteran

Dealing with PTSD inspires effort to help others

Veteran Graeme Hafey is looking forward to welcoming veterans and patrons to the U.S Marine Corps tent he’s added outside V2V Black Hops Brewing for tasting, dining, movie nights, and other events. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)
Victoria-based artist Paul Archer poses with one of his striking images of a veteran. Completing such paintings has become a November tradition. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff) Paul Archer, a Victoria-based artist, tries to paint one Remembrance Day piece each year in November. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Touching scene with veteran inspires Victoria artist to paint Remembrance Day series

Paul Archer has painted a veteran each November for the past four years

Victoria-based artist Paul Archer poses with one of his striking images of a veteran. Completing such paintings has become a November tradition. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff) Paul Archer, a Victoria-based artist, tries to paint one Remembrance Day piece each year in November. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
In 2005, Trevor Whitten (front right) served as an Honor Guard member during the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey at Vimy Ridge, honouring the Indigenous veterans of the First and Second World Wars. (Photo courtesy of Trevor Whitten)

Victoria man follows seven generations of Indigenous veterans

Joining the military at age 20 was a no-brainer for Trevor Whitten

In 2005, Trevor Whitten (front right) served as an Honor Guard member during the Aboriginal Spiritual Journey at Vimy Ridge, honouring the Indigenous veterans of the First and Second World Wars. (Photo courtesy of Trevor Whitten)
Grace Scarabelli, 97, recalls with fondness her time spent in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Saanich woman recounts service with Canadian Women’s Army Corps

Grace Scarabelli, 97, one of first women to attend Royal Military College of Canada

Grace Scarabelli, 97, recalls with fondness her time spent in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
Saanich’s Remembrance Day ceremony will look a little different this year with no in-person audience. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich Remembrance Day ceremony goes virtual

No audience at ceremony but livestream will allow community to watch

Saanich’s Remembrance Day ceremony will look a little different this year with no in-person audience. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dan MacKenzie on his Afghanistan tour in 2008. (Submitted)

COURAGE REMEMBERED: Reserve infantry men and women walk the streets in plain clothes

Victoria man recounts tour in Afghanistan

Dan MacKenzie on his Afghanistan tour in 2008. (Submitted)
COURAGE REMEMBERED: Naval reservist to speak at Maritime Museum

COURAGE REMEMBERED: Naval reservist to speak at Maritime Museum

Speaker presents on Canada’s involvement in global conflicts, veterans

COURAGE REMEMBERED: Naval reservist to speak at Maritime Museum
Canadian veteran of the battle for Hong Kong in 1941 and subsequent prisoner of war, Horace “Gerry” Gerrard, right, speaks to assembled Public Service Legion members in Victoria during the unveiling of a wall plaque commemorating that aspect of the Second World War.The plaque, presented in Gerrard’s honour by Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association B.C. regional director Gerry Tuppert, left, and Legion branch president Richard Steele, helps mark Gerrard’s 68 years membership in the Legion. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Courage Remembered: Hong Kong veteran remembers hardships as a POW

Langford resident, Public Service branch Legion member Gerry Gerrard honoured

Canadian veteran of the battle for Hong Kong in 1941 and subsequent prisoner of war, Horace “Gerry” Gerrard, right, speaks to assembled Public Service Legion members in Victoria during the unveiling of a wall plaque commemorating that aspect of the Second World War.The plaque, presented in Gerrard’s honour by Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association B.C. regional director Gerry Tuppert, left, and Legion branch president Richard Steele, helps mark Gerrard’s 68 years membership in the Legion. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Funeral of Nursing Sister Gladys “Bob” Wake, who served at the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples France, from May 22, 1918. Fellow nurse Elsie Dorothy Collis of Victoria journaled about the bombing that led to her colleague’s death and would later work at Craigdarroch Military Hospital. Photo courtesy Craigdarroch Castle (file No. LAC PA-0025620)

COURAGE REMEMBERED: Nursing sister among first at Craigdarroch Military Hospital

Victoria’s Elsie Collis came home after serving in France during First World War

  • Nov 9, 2017
Funeral of Nursing Sister Gladys “Bob” Wake, who served at the No. 1 Canadian General Hospital in Etaples France, from May 22, 1918. Fellow nurse Elsie Dorothy Collis of Victoria journaled about the bombing that led to her colleague’s death and would later work at Craigdarroch Military Hospital. Photo courtesy Craigdarroch Castle (file No. LAC PA-0025620)
Maritime Forces Pacific public affairs officer Lt. Melissa Kia offers a salute to those who fell during wartime and are buried nearby at Ross Bay cemetery. The war graves area in the southwest corner of the cemetery, near Dallas Road, is the site for one of numerous Remembrance Day ceremonies happening around the region on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 11 a.m. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Ross Bay cemetery ceremony little-known, but meaningful

Service is an undertaking of the Naval Fleet School in Esquimalt

Maritime Forces Pacific public affairs officer Lt. Melissa Kia offers a salute to those who fell during wartime and are buried nearby at Ross Bay cemetery. The war graves area in the southwest corner of the cemetery, near Dallas Road, is the site for one of numerous Remembrance Day ceremonies happening around the region on Saturday (Nov. 11) at 11 a.m. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Writer Jeremy J. Fry saw how war changed his grandfather. Photo contributed

COURAGE REMEMBERED: Time spent serving his country changed grandfather’s view of the world

An excerpt from a letter by Jeremy J. Fry on his grandfather, a First and Second World War veteran

Writer Jeremy J. Fry saw how war changed his grandfather. Photo contributed
Retired Victoria and Oak Bay police officer Rick Anthony in Kosovo on a UN peacekeeping mission, “one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.” Photo courtesy Rick Anthony

COURAGE REMEMBERED: A remarkable journey through modern-day conflict

Victoria police officers remember the aftermath of the Kosovo war

Retired Victoria and Oak Bay police officer Rick Anthony in Kosovo on a UN peacekeeping mission, “one of the most remarkable experiences of my life.” Photo courtesy Rick Anthony
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