War memorabilia stolen from seniors’ centre
The theft of Second World War memorabilia from an Asquith seniors’ centre is disrespectful to veterans, according to an organizer for the facility.
Arlene Cattell, chairperson of Asquith Better Life Recreation Association, said the break-in happened late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. A group of seniors who arrived at the building for an exercise class Tuesday morning discovered the theft and reported it to the RCMP.
“They took a lot of World War II memorabilia, a TV and a DVD player and made a mess, just threw things around,” Cattell said. “They broke a door and did some damage to a window.”
She said she wishes the person responsible had more respect for veterans and the sacrifices they made for all Canadians — including whoever stole the memorabilia.
Cattell said break-ins aren’t uncommon in the community and that this was the second in a month.
She said the theft of the memorabilia is a loss for the whole community, but it has been especially hard for the families who donated the items hoping they would be properly honoured as pieces of local history.
Locals wants to spread the word in hopes of recovering the one-ofa-kind items, Cattell said.
“It’s a loss for everybody and it’s something we will miss for sure. Hopefully somebody might come up with information on them.”
This was the second high-profile theft in Asquith in just over a year. Last January a Gordie Howe jersey meant to be auctioned for charity was stolen.