THUNDER BAY — The Royal Canadian Legion presented five local members with King Charles III Coronation medals primarily for their Legion involvement on Sunday.
These medals recognize those significantly contributing to the country, province, region or community.
Recipients included comrade Katriina Myllymaa of the Port Arthur Branch No. 5, comrade Dell Babcock of the Port Arthur Branch No. 5, comrade Kim Treichler of the Slovak Branch No. 129, comrade George Romick of the Port Arthur Branch No. 5 and comrade Robert Cutbush of the Port Arthur Branch No. 5.
“It’s quite an honour for anybody who was receiving one of the medals, myself included, and it was very nice just to have friends and family with us to celebrate it because it’s an important day,” said Myllymaa, also the president of the Port Arthur Branch No. 5.
Myllymaa explained that all of the recipients have been involved with the legion for many years and have worn many hats.
“We do it because we love the organization and we love the people that we serve,” said Myllymaa.
“The veterans, they’re important to us because they are who are responsible for maintaining remembrance…, so we all have things that we’ve done in our private lives outside the legion.”
When asked about the more private ceremony, she said big gatherings are great, but small ones sometimes are also good.
“I think it’s always nice when you have a smaller group because then you can walk around and thank people for coming in and it just means a little bit more when you look out,” said Myllymaa.
“It’s people that you see out there, people that you’ve had dealings with or people that have been in your life forever, so it’s an important thing.”
She explained that most of them will do things because they want to and are not out there looking for recognition.
However, she added when it came their way, “it’s always nice to have because it means that people are appreciating the things that you do.”
“It means that somebody somewhere has seen the work that I’ve been doing and has felt that it was valuable, so I don’t know, I think it just sort of hits close to home that way,” said Myllymaa.
The recipients were nominated through Manitoba Northwestern Ontario Command.
“It’s an important thing because it means that people above us are also recognizing the work that we do for the organization,” said Myllymaa.
Treichler was also excited about receiving the medal.
“I’ve always wanted to have a medal for my left side because I only have legion medals. I’ll never be an actual veteran. I’m with CIC, which is with the Cadet Instructors Cadre, but I’ve never been in the army reserves ..., so now I have a medal to wear on my left side and I’ll be very, very proud of it,” said Treichler.
Her biggest accomplishment, she said, was the Remembrance Day ceremonies that they put on for the retirement homes.
“Through the Slovak Legion No. 129, we go to the different retirement homes and we do a Remembrance Day service for them and it’s greatly appreciated,” said Treichler.
“We’re trying to get all the legions involved in it and they’re invited, but getting them to come out is another thing, so it’s great being a part of the legion for me.”
Treichler said her dad was a Second World War veteran and this is how she could thank him.
She also thanked her promoter, Major Christian Borland, who retired.
“Thank you so much for this, Christian. I wouldn’t have got this without you and it’s been a long road. I’ve done a lot of work and I’ve enjoyed every step of the way,” said Treichler.
