'He is very well decorated': Sask. veteran turns 100, honoured by Legion for lifetime of service
The Saskatchewan Royal Legion celebrated one of its members reaching a major milestone this weekend.
Cliff MacDonald celebrated his 100 birthday and was also honoured for his 80 years with the Legion.
“He is very well decorated. He received the French Medal of Honour for landing on D-day, and being the first overseas,” former Legion president Keith Andrews told CTV News. “He’s been a veteran member of the Legion for over 80 years. In fact, he was a member of the Legion when he was in France.”
MacDonald enlisted in 1941 with the 67 light anti-aircraft battery out of Rosetown. He returned home in December 1945.
One of the families in his home community of Elrose paid his membership dues to the Legion while he was away.
“It’s about service for veterans and their families,” Andrews said. “Today is a bunch of medals and stuff like that but the whole thing is, when somebody’s got a problem, we help them.”
The event was held at the Sherbrooke Veterans Village in Saskatoon, where four generations of family gathered to mark the occasion.
MacDonald’s grandson, Dane MacDonald, who is a Sergeant At Arms, presented him with his medal for his time with the Legion.
He said it was important to understand the sacrifice of veterans and to continue the mission to serve others.
“It’s definitely something that I’ve learned to understand and take with great pride that we can carry the torch forward,” Dane said.
MacDonald was also presented with the Queens Platinum Jubilee Medal and letters from dignitaries including the premier of Saskatchewan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
He responded to the celebration of his life and service humbly.
“I guess I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Betty. She’s looked after me for 74 years, and I couldn’t have asked for anyone better.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.