✨ Branch 530 Waterloo – 2025 Honours & Awards Ceremony ✨
On Friday night, we gathered to celebrate the dedication of our members, youth, and community partners. The Royal Canadian Legion’s Honours & Awards are a tradition that mark both steady commitment and extraordinary milestones of service. 🇨🇦
📚 Youth Education Awards
Annabelle He (K-W Bilingual School, Grade 8) – Dominion 1st Place, Intermediate Black & White Poster. Artwork will be displayed at the Canadian War Museum.
Nancy Ge (Laurel Heights Secondary School, Grade 11) – Dominion 1st Place, Senior Black & White Poster. Nancy will also attend the 2025 National Remembrance Day Ceremony in Ottawa to lay a wreath on behalf of Canadian students.
🎖️ Years of Service Pins
The Legion recognizes continuous years of service in 5-year increments:
🔹 All recipients from 5 to 45 years are recognized with the silver lapel pin for their long-time dedication to the Legion.
5 Years – David Akey, Pasourat Boualavong, Patrick Feeney, Catherine Fife, John Gowland, Joseph Graham, Brian Harris, Alex Kavagoe, Kelly Knack, May Machoun, Bradley Morris, Barry Musselman, Sean Rak, Dennis Robus, Karen Robus, Warren Snider, David Talbot, Susan Tiessen
10 Years – John Alma, Peter Brill, Deborah Chamberlain, Ross Clemmer, Ross Eckensviller, Shirley Engel, Darryl Gray, Michael Gross, George Haley, Janine Henning, Steve Langan, Amy Miller, Ronald Miller, Michael Morrison, Gilberta Patrick, Ross Schedewitz, Elaine Schwartz, Roger Waller, Barry Weppler, Herb Wollny, Daniel Zettel
15 Years – Harry Barnes, Isobel Beattie, Roy Beattie, Steve Hardman, Murray Schwartz, Calum Waddell, Dean Woelfle
20 Years – Evelyn Brophy, Charlotte Daniel-Champion, David Dueck, Jerome Suska
25 Years – Special Milestone 🎉 – Janis Conrad, Lynn Franklin
30 Years – Terry Gravelle, Joseph McCormick, Gary McLellan
35 Years – Michael Boehmer, Joseph Elliott, Jerry Hergott, Paul Mackenzie
40 Years – Special Milestone 🎉 – Gordon Ball, Ronald Brouillette, John Champion, Douglas Singbeil, John Strauss
45 Years – Special Milestone 🎉 – Debbie Bowman, Robert Cruickshank, Corry Kool, Ronald Rabideau
🔹 At 50+ years, members receive the Golden Anniversary Medal and pin, with achievements shared nationally in Legion Magazine. Each 5-year milestone beyond adds a special ribbon bar to their medal.
55 Years – Golden Milestone 🥇 – Garry Papke
65 Years – Lifetime Milestone 🌟 – Allan (Doug) Arnold - An extraordinary milestone, representing more than six decades of loyalty, leadership, and service to the Legion.
🏅 Special Certificates
Certificate of Appreciation – Cpl Stephanie Mitchell-Hodge, Kevin Lobsinger, Carl Guenther (absent), Chris Powell Mann
Certificate of Merit – Doug & Robin Carder (absent)
🌟 Life Membership – Cheryl Lace 🌟
At this year’s Honours & Awards, we were proud to officially present Cheryl Lace with her Life Membership — one of the highest honours a Legion can bestow.
Cheryl has been part of the Legion family since joining the Ladies Auxiliary in 1984 and the Branch in 2010. For decades she has given her time and energy to youth education programs, the Poppy Campaign, Remembrance Day hospitality, and Branch leadership. She also continues to give back to the wider community, helping raise over $70,000 for local charities through her work with Waterloo Regional Police Service.
Named Legionnaire of the Year in 2022, Cheryl’s dedication and compassion embody the best of Branch 530. We are proud to celebrate this well-earned honour with her. 💙👏
👏 Congratulations to all recipients — from 5-year pins to 65-year milestones and Life Membership. Each award reflects the dedication and spirit that keeps our Legion strong, supports our veterans, and builds community.
🙏 Thank you to everyone who attended to recognize these achievements — and a special thank you to the cadets of RCSCC Warspite for their excellent support as our Ceremonial Flag Party and Guard.
