New banner program honours Bridgewater veterans

Branch 24, Royal Canadian Legion in Bridgewater has a new program that brings more focus on our veterans, past and present.

During the last several years the legion has been promoting banners to local businesses and individuals and have been very visible in the downtown area of Bridgewater. The funds from this campaign assists with providing support to veterans through the Poppy Fund.

Several legions in Nova Scotia and across Canada have been offering something special as a way to highlight individual veterans and their service to the nation. These banners display a photo of the veteran and are usually sponsored by the families of the individual. The banners can display veterans both past and present and the gratitude of those who sponsor shines through as the banners are attached to poles in highly visible locations in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day.

Branch 24 launched the first of the photo banners this year and when Jim Davis was approached he jumped at the opportunity to recognize his son, Cpl. Paul Davis, who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan in March 2006.

He loved the concept and when the banner was first presented to him his memories of Paul came flooding back. He’s happy residents of Bridgewater may stop and reflect on his son’s service to Canada.

The legion hopes more families of those who served will also be interested in this unique way of honouring family members next year as the program expands. If you are interested in learning more about this program, contact Branch 24 at 902-5433203.