Local veteran honoured with Quilt of Valour, farmed in Hays
A local Second World War veteran, 99-year-old Henry Dick, has been honoured with the gift of a Quilt of Valour from the Royal Canadian Legion.
“We are just very proud of his life service, because that’s what it has been and we’re really pleased that he can be recognized,” said Dick’s daughter, Wendy Timmermans.
On hand for the presentation Wedensday was Timmermans, along with her sister Barb and husband Rod Lanser from Pittsburgh, who just happened to be home visiting this week.
Women from across Canada sew the quilts, donate them and then veterans are nominated to receive them, according to Timmermans.
Dick’s quilt was made by Joan Barrett, a member of the General Stewart Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and Quilts of Valour, who completed the work in about 10 days.
On Nov. 11, Henry was scheduled to be laying a wreath at 11 a.m. in Legacy Lodge to honour fellow veterans.
“We have a lot to be thankful for because Canada is an honourable country. And it’s sent its troops to a lot of places, just for freedom, freedom for the rest of the world,” said Dick quietly after the ceremony .
“He was nominated because he served in the Canadian Armed Forces from December 1942 until he was discharged in January of 1946. He saw active duty in the North Pacific in the Aleutian Islands and Kiska Island and that was Canadian Armed Forces against the Japanese forces there,” said Timmermans.
Dick has been a member of the Legion in southern Alberta for over 65 years and received his 65 years pin couple of years ago, according to Timmermans.
Timmermans added that Dyck was a farm boy who was born in 1922 and immigrated to Canada in 1926. He was called up to service in 1942.
“For him to be a Prairie boy going off to war, was pretty life altering for him. He’s been a lifelong patriot, he has contributed so much to the communities,” said Timmermans.
Dick was a farmer in Hays and moved to Lethbridge in 1988. Here he has been a Senior Citizen of the Year, president of the Lethbridge Senior Centre, chairman of the Lethbridge Senior Centre, as well as being a really motivating force of the soup kitchen, his daughter said.
“He has really dedicated his life to civil service basically, as well as all the things that he did in his farm career. I think probably it changed his life, because he really knew the values that he stood for, he stood up with those values and was really committed to his country,” said Timmermans.
Dick has been married to his wife Lena since December 1944 and the couple has five children.
“They have an amazing supportive relationship. He couldn’t have done all the things that he’s done without her support, and she has volunteered many hours as well,” added Timmermans.
Timmermans said that her parents retired from the farm in 1988 and when they moved to Lethbridge, Leona became involved with the Prevent Alcohol and Riskrelated Trauma in Youth, or P.A.R.T.Y., Program at the Chinook Regional Hospital, and she has put in many volunteer hours with them. She also volunteered with the Canadian Cancer Society in the Reach to Recovery program, which is for breast cancer survivors.