Mary Marquette and Linda Thompson show off their awards during a Legion ceremony Sunday. Photo by Colby Clarke.
The Royal Canadian Legion hosted its annual Honours and Awards Ceremony on Sunday to celebrate and recognize close to 40 members for their community service and service to the Legion.
One of the two major awards given out on Sunday was The Palm Leaf, which is added to the Legion Meritorious Award for Community/Legion service and is the highest award the Legion has to offer.
Mary Marquette is overcome with emotion as she receives the Palm Leaf award.
This year’s recipient of The Palm Leaf is Comrade Mary Marquette, who has served the Legion since 1975.
Marquette currently serves as the Membership Chairman, Branch Secretary, Office Assistant, Branch Lottery Chairman, and Branch Service Officer as well.
“I don’t know if I can even describe the feeling,” said Marquette, who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2009 for Outstanding Service to Legion, Community, and Canada.
“It’s overwhelming and I certainly did not expect this. Considering I’m usually the one who’s writing and working for the committee so they definitely did a good job of catching me by surprise with the award.”
The second major award given out on Sunday was The Lifetime Membership Award.
This year’s recipient is Comrade Linda Thompson, who serves as Branch President. Thompson, a 27-year Legion member, has won multiple awards for her service to the Legion including Legionnaire of the Year in 2003 and the President’s Medal in 2004.
Ontario Command First Vice-President, Brian Weaver expressed how deserving Thompson was of the recognition.
“She’s worked hard for this branch”, said Weaver, who was one of over a hundred legionnaires to attend the ceremony on Sunday.
“She’s made her lifetime commitment to the branch in every aspect. This choice was very fitting for Linda and even more so deserving. ”
Both Marquette and Thompson are recipients of the Legion’s 25-year Pin as well.
