'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
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.