NEW WATERFORD ? It wasn?t long after John Gaetan joined the Army Navy Airforce Club some 19 years ago that he was hooked.
?I fell in love with it,? said Gaetan, the club?s vice-president. ?I fell in love with the veterans.?
Gaetan said when the club holds its annual installation of officers, executive officers sit at the head table.
?Then one year when I got on the executive, that changed ? the veterans were seated at the head table as they should be,? he said, adding he?d like to see this become a permanent change.
He said the veterans deserve to be honoured on a regular basis.
?We?re here in New Waterford because of the veterans,? he said. ?Seeing what?s going on in Afghanistan and other parts of the world ? it?s awful. I can stand in my yard and watch as my children and grandchild walk to school and not worry about anything. I took life for granted but don?t anymore.?
An appreciation day is normally held every July, but this year to help mark the town?s 100th anniversary, the veterans will be honoured with a Veterans Appreciation Day and a parade on Friday, June 28.
Members of the Army Navy Airforce Club unit 217, the Royal Canadian Legion branch 15 and members of the New Waterford Centennial Committee are hosting the festivities.
Celebrations will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a parade from the Knights of Columbus hall down Plummer Avenue to the Rose Schwartz Memorial Park, where seats will be provided for those who cannot march. It will be led by members of the Army Navy Airforce Club and the legion branch 15?s colour party. The parade will form up at 10 a.m. in the parking lot.
All current and retired Canadian Forces personnel are invited to participate in the parade.
?We encourage all residents of the community to come out and enjoy this special day set aside to honour our nation?s heroes,? said Ray Gillis, who is also a member of the Army Navy Airforce Club.
Gillis said organizers are attempting to have a military vehicles and the pipe band from Victoria Park in Sydney as well as a military aircraft conducting a ?fly by? over Plummer Avenue.
A service will follow at the park with local dignitaries and special guests. A meet and greet reception will follow at the Army Navy Airforce Club with lunch served for the first 200 people on site.
There will be entertainment by veteran Dinky Cameron.
Gillis said they are hoping the public will support this event and honour the veterans.
?Please keep in mind that freedom is not free and that if you enjoy yours, thank a veteran.?
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