Acton Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 197

Ted Arnott made the following remarks at the District “B” Convention of the Acton Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 197, on April 10, 2010.

Good afternoon, comrades, guests, ladies and gentlemen. It is a real

It is a real honour for me, as MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, and as an Associate Member of the Royal Canadian Legion of some 16 years, to join with you today along with my colleagues in elected public service, Rick Bonnette and Clark Somerville, at your District “B” Convention.

I look forward to spending the next hour or so with you here, and then returning tomorrow for the parade and service.

We meet this weekend, a day after Vimy Ridge Day, in the year 2010, which will always be known as the end of an era, when our last known Canadian veteran of the Great War, John Babcock, passed away.

We meet this weekend, remembering all who served in a Canadian uniform, those who died, those were injured, those who were psychologically scarred, and those who came home safe, by the grace of God.

And we meet this weekend, thinking and praying for those who serve today in Canadian uniform, especially those in Afghanistan, bringing security, civilization and hope to that troubled country.

This is the mandate of the Legion—a mandate you claimed years ago as a covenant with our valiant dead, accepting Colonel John McCrae’s eloquent challenge: that we never break faith, that we never forget.

But this weekend is also a time for comradeship and fun, as we catch up with each other, remembering good times.

So on behalf of the Province of Ontario, please accept my sincere thanks for your service, your commitment, your leadership and your caring.

For all that you do to strengthen your community, province and country, And my best wishes for a fruitful and successful convention here in Acton, where it’s “always worth the drive.”