A special birthday salute
First responders, Royal Canadian Legion take part in parade for Charlottetown veteran
First responders took part in a number of parades past seniors’ home facilities on Monday, but one of them stood out from the others.
Bruce Coulson, a veteran of the Second World War and a resident at the Prince Edward Home in Charlottetown, was treated to not only lights and sirens from the city’s police and fire departments and Island EMS, but he was also given full colour party from the Royal Canadian Legion.
The occasion was Coulson's 101st birthday, and he had no clue he was about to receive such a celebration treat.
Darlene Martin, a clinical resource nurse, escorted him outside the home in a wheelchair where family members were waiting with happy birthday signs. The family had also put together pictures of his time with the Princes Louise Fusiliers, who fought in Italy, Artona and the Battle of Monte Cassino, which was a costly series of four assaults by the Allies against the Winter Line in Italy held by Axis forces during the Italian Campaign.
The parade stopped in front of Coulson where Charlottetown Deputy Police Chief Brad MacConnell and Const. Tim Keizer stepped up to salute the veteran.
“Thank you for your service,’’ the officers said.
Coulson’s family received special permission from Health P.E.I. to have the veteran watch the parade from outside, and physical distancing was adhered to the entire time.
“I really enjoyed that,’’ said the veteran, clearly surprised by all the fuss.
Coulson was then wheeled back inside the home and to a window where family and friends got a chance to communicate with him one by one through the glass using a cellphone provided by one of the staff members at the home. With the sun beaming down on them, they laughed and chatted together, sharing family memories and chuckling about his tips for a long life.
Sharon Coulson, the veteran’s daughter, said all of the credit for the parade and colour party goes to staff at the Prince Edward Home.
“They organized everything,’’ Sharon said. “They’ve been wonderful to him here. The staff is just great. It’s the best, safest place for him to be, and he loves his room; he loves the staff and he says the service is great.’’
Sharon said not being able to see her father in person during the pandemic has been difficult.
“It’s really, really, really hard. Several times I’ve come and talked to him through the window. He gets lonesome and I get lonesome, but you make the best of it.’’
Before stepping away from the window, the veteran motioned towards his daughter.
“I love you, dear,’’ he said. “I love you, too, dad.’’